Scientists are uncertain whether the belt represents remnants of a failed planet or the product of gravitational interactions preventing planetary formation. 

5 mysteries of the solar system that still baffle scientists

The asteroid belt that sits between Mars and Jupiter might be holding the building blocks of life, according to a new study. The dwarf planet Ceres in the region has a hidden ocean which harbours such ingredients, the research published in the journal Science Advances says.&nbsp;

Ceres is the largest object in our Solar System’s asteroid belt, and its icy surface hides several small underground water bodies containing salt water. But the most fascinating discovery has been made around one of its largest craters, the Ertunet Crater.&nbsp;

Maria Cristina De Sanctis, a planetary scientist at Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics, and her colleagues found the basics of life here.

Hundreds of square miles of area around this crater are covered with a layer of organic chemicals, also called aliphatics. Researchers suggest that the chemicals must have formed only in the past few million years or so. This is because aliphatic compounds cannot sustain the constant bombardment of radiation in deep space for a long time.&nbsp;

This has led them to conclude that these organic molecules formed in Ceres’s underground ocean within the last 10 million years or so.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jwst-spots-unique-exoplanet-with-inflated-asymmetric-atmosphere-761897">JWST spots unique exoplanet with inflated 'asymmetric' atmosphere</a>

De Sanctis and her colleagues created the Ceres sediment in their lab using data from NASA’s Dawn mission which flew by the dwarf planet in 2012. They added aliphatic organics to the mix, the hydrocarbon found near the Ertunet Crater.&nbsp;

To get an estimate of how long they have been there, they struck the mixture with powerful ultraviolet radiation and fast-moving ions.

This so-called “space weathering” can break down organic molecules. Turns out, the aliphatic compounds could not hold on for long, and this made the researchers realise that the substance had not been on Ceres for long either.&nbsp;

There is an abundance of this type of hydrocarbon on its surface, and so the researchers believe it must have gotten there within the last 10 million years.

"The organic compounds found at the Ertunet Crater might have evolved over the life span of Ceres’s deep ocean, lasting at least a few hundred million years,” De Sanctis and her colleagues write in their recent paper.&nbsp;

Besides, simulations show that these organic molecules weren't delivered by any asteroid or comet and formed deep inside Ceres.

Ceres was once covered with a huge ocean of salt water beneath its crust, but today only pockets of it survive. Previous studies hint at the possibility that rock and salt water interacted with each other, releasing enough energy to create little pockets of habitability.

“This makes the region a preferred site for a future in situ or sample return mission to Ceres,” they write.&nbsp;

The asteroid belt that sits between Mars and Jupiter might be holding the building blocks of life, according to a new study. The dwarf planet Ceres in the region has a hidden ocean which harbours such ingredients, the research published in the journal Science Advances says.

The asteroid belt that sits between Mars and Jupiter might be holding the building blocks of life, according to a new study. The dwarf planet Ceres in the region has a hidden ocean which harbours such ingredients, the research published in the journal Science Advances says. Ceres is the largest object in our Solar System’s asteroid belt, and its icy surface hides several small underground water bodies containing salt water. But the most fascinating discovery has been made around one of its largest craters, the Ertunet Crater. Maria Cristina De Sanctis, a planetary scientist at Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics, and her colleagues found the basics of life here. Hundreds of square miles of area around this crater are covered with a layer of organic chemicals, also called aliphatics. Researchers suggest that the chemicals must have formed only in the past few million years or so. This is because aliphatic compounds cannot sustain the constant bombardment of radiation in deep space for a long time. This has led them to conclude that these organic molecules formed in Ceres’s underground ocean within the last 10 million years or so. Also Read: JWST spots unique exoplanet with inflated 'asymmetric' atmosphere De Sanctis and her colleagues created the Ceres sediment in their lab using data from NASA’s Dawn mission which flew by the dwarf planet in 2012. They added aliphatic organics to the mix, the hydrocarbon found near the Ertunet Crater. To get an estimate of how long they have been there, they struck the mixture with powerful ultraviolet radiation and fast-moving ions. This so-called “space weathering” can break down organic molecules. Turns out, the aliphatic compounds could not hold on for long, and this made the researchers realise that the substance had not been on Ceres for long either. There is an abundance of this type of hydrocarbon on its surface, and so the researchers believe it must have gotten there within the last 10 million years. "The organic compounds found at the Ertunet Crater might have evolved over the life span of Ceres’s deep ocean, lasting at least a few hundred million years,” De Sanctis and her colleagues write in their recent paper. Besides, simulations show that these organic molecules weren't delivered by any asteroid or comet and formed deep inside Ceres. Ceres was once covered with a huge ocean of salt water beneath its crust, but today only pockets of it survive. Previous studies hint at the possibility that rock and salt water interacted with each other, releasing enough energy to create little pockets of habitability. “This makes the region a preferred site for a future in situ or sample return mission to Ceres,” they write.

Ceres, largest object in asteroid belt, shows signs of habitability near Ertunet Crater

The origin of a dwarf planet living in our solar system was a subject of debate for several years among astronomers. They now seem to have settled it. Ceres, a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt, has widespread ammonium deposits, and till now experts believed that its frozen form led to the creation of Ceres. But, ammonium is only stable in the outer solar system, indicating that Ceres formed outside our solar system and was slowly sucked in.

New research has revealed that it is not true and Ceres was born in the asteroid belt itself.&nbsp;

You might recall Ceres from the TV show "Expanse", in which the so-called 'belters' are based on this dwarf planet. The show has humans colonising the asteroid belt to mine the space rocks.&nbsp;

Ceres has gained fame in the real world as well because of the doubts over its origin. It has a diameter of around 960 kilometres, is the biggest body between Mars and Jupiter in the belt and boasts an extremely complex and varied geology.

A research team led by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen studied data from NASA's Dawn space probe and has found ammonium-rich deposits in the Consus crater. The discovery has shed new light on the birth of Ceres.

Dawn probe studied Ceres and noticed that it changed and evolved over many billions of years. It also found widespread ammonium deposits on the surface of Ceres. The team noted in the new study that it likely witnessed unique cryovolcanism until recently, which probably continued even today.&nbsp;

There are light-coloured, whitish salt deposits in several impact craters. The Consus crater has emerged as the main mystery point where the deposits could indicate ammonium-rich material that has reached the surface from the depths of the dwarf planet owing to volcanism on Ceres.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/on-planets-with-eternal-day-or-night-how-does-alien-life-know-when-to-sleep-757307">On planets with eternal day or night, how does alien life know when to sleep?</a>

Researchers say that a brine seeped to the surface from a liquid layer between the mantle and crust over many billions of years, leading to the deposits.

After studying images and measurement data from the Consus crater in extreme detail, the team found material that was yellowish. It now believes that the presence of ammonium does not necessarily indicate an origin in the outer solar system, and there is a high chance that Ceres formed where it is orbiting today.

<h2>Consus crater on Ceres</h2>

Consus crater, located in Ceres' southern hemisphere, has a diameter of around 64 kilometres. It has a circumferential crater wall that rises about 4.5 kilometres above the crater floor. It contains inside it another smaller crater covering an area of about 15 kilometres by eleven kilometres.

The surface of Ceres is covered with ammonium-rich minerals. Earlier studies showed that these minerals form only through contact with ammonium ice, outside our solar system. As it nears the sun, it evaporates quickly. Ceres was therefore believed to have formed at the edge of the solar system.

But now, by establishing a connection between ammonium and the salty brine from Ceres' interior, researchers say that Ceres could be native to the asteroid belt.

&nbsp;The research is published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

The origin of a dwarf planet living in our solar system was a subject of debate for several years among astronomers. They now seem to have settled it. Ceres, a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt, has widespread ammonium deposits, and till now experts believed that its frozen form led to the creation of Ceres.

The origin of a dwarf planet living in our solar system was a subject of debate for several years among astronomers. They now seem to have settled it. Ceres, a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt, has widespread ammonium deposits, and till now experts believed that its frozen form led to the creation of Ceres. But, ammonium is only stable in the outer solar system, indicating that Ceres formed outside our solar system and was slowly sucked in. New research has revealed that it is not true and Ceres was born in the asteroid belt itself. You might recall Ceres from the TV show "Expanse", in which the so-called 'belters' are based on this dwarf planet. The show has humans colonising the asteroid belt to mine the space rocks. Ceres has gained fame in the real world as well because of the doubts over its origin. It has a diameter of around 960 kilometres, is the biggest body between Mars and Jupiter in the belt and boasts an extremely complex and varied geology. A research team led by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen studied data from NASA's Dawn space probe and has found ammonium-rich deposits in the Consus crater. The discovery has shed new light on the birth of Ceres. Dawn probe studied Ceres and noticed that it changed and evolved over many billions of years. It also found widespread ammonium deposits on the surface of Ceres. The team noted in the new study that it likely witnessed unique cryovolcanism until recently, which probably continued even today. There are light-coloured, whitish salt deposits in several impact craters. The Consus crater has emerged as the main mystery point where the deposits could indicate ammonium-rich material that has reached the surface from the depths of the dwarf planet owing to volcanism on Ceres. Also Read: On planets with eternal day or night, how does alien life know when to sleep? Researchers say that a brine seeped to the surface from a liquid layer between the mantle and crust over many billions of years, leading to the deposits. After studying images and measurement data from the Consus crater in extreme detail, the team found material that was yellowish. It now believes that the presence of ammonium does not necessarily indicate an origin in the outer solar system, and there is a high chance that Ceres formed where it is orbiting today. Consus crater on Ceres Consus crater, located in Ceres' southern hemisphere, has a diameter of around 64 kilometres. It has a circumferential crater wall that rises about 4.5 kilometres above the crater floor. It contains inside it another smaller crater covering an area of about 15 kilometres by eleven kilometres. The surface of Ceres is covered with ammonium-rich minerals. Earlier studies showed that these minerals form only through contact with ammonium ice, outside our solar system. As it nears the sun, it evaporates quickly. Ceres was therefore believed to have formed at the edge of the solar system. But now, by establishing a connection between ammonium and the salty brine from Ceres' interior, researchers say that Ceres could be native to the asteroid belt. The research is published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

Pop culture dwarf planet part of TV show likely originated in our solar system

All of us know about the asteroid belt in our Solar System. The asteroid belt is a collection of millions of space rocks, some of which are still a mystery to us. It is also said that asteroids are mini-planets which couldn't make the cut to join the elite league of main planets in our solar system. Who knows what mysteries lie&nbsp;hidden in the asteroid belt!

Now, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has snapped a picture of a solar system. To the surprise of scientists, the solar system shows the presence of three asteroid belts. Two are in the inner system, while the third is farther out. With this pic, JWST has clicked the first asteroid belt ever seen outside our solar system.

<img alt="asteroid belts" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60f1fac9-08ed-4ec6-9f91-1cf08a5abcde" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Fomalhut%20rings.jpg" />

(Image: NASA)

The solar system is being formed around the young star Fomalhaut. It is 25 light-years away from us. Though this distance appears huge, it is nothing when compared on a cosmic scale. The three asteroid belts are extending out to 14 billion miles (23 billion kilometres) around the star. This is 150 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.

Hubble Space Telescope, JWST's predecessor, had clicked the outer asteroid belt before. But JWST's powerful ability to take images in Infrared light has meant that we can now glean deeper into the Fomalhaut solar system.&nbsp;

"Where Webb really excels is that we're able to physically resolve the thermal glow from dust in those inner regions. So you can see inner belts that we could never see before," Schuyler Wolff, an astronomer at the University of Arizona who worked on the research, said, as quoted on the NASA website.&nbsp;

Fomalhaut can be located by the naked eye as it is the brightest star in the southern constellation Piscis Austrinus.

According to NASA, the asteroid belts around Fomalhaut are likely to have been carved out of gravitational fields of planets we haven't yet been able to see.

Asteroid belts are often affected by the gravity of planets in a particular star system. For example, the massive gravitational force exerted by Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, keeps the asteroids in their particular orbit and largely locked in space.

“The belts around Fomalhaut are kind of a mystery novel: Where are the planets?” said George Rieke, another team member and US science lead for Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which made these observations. “I think it's not a very big leap to say there's probably a really interesting planetary system around the star.”

“We definitely didn't expect the more complex structure with the second intermediate belt and then the broader asteroid belt,” added Wolff. “That structure is very exciting because any time an astronomer sees a gap and rings in a disk, they say, ‘There could be an embedded planet shaping the rings!’”

Rieke was quoted by NASA.

The results of the research by the team have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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All of us know about the asteroid belt in our Solar System. The asteroid belt is a collection of millions of space rocks, some of which are still a mystery to us.

All of us know about the asteroid belt in our Solar System. The asteroid belt is a collection of millions of space rocks, some of which are still a mystery to us. It is also said that asteroids are mini-planets which couldn't make the cut to join the elite league of main planets in our solar system. Who knows what mysteries lie hidden in the asteroid belt! Now, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has snapped a picture of a solar system. To the surprise of scientists, the solar system shows the presence of three asteroid belts. Two are in the inner system, while the third is farther out. With this pic, JWST has clicked the first asteroid belt ever seen outside our solar system. (Image: NASA) The solar system is being formed around the young star Fomalhaut. It is 25 light-years away from us. Though this distance appears huge, it is nothing when compared on a cosmic scale. The three asteroid belts are extending out to 14 billion miles (23 billion kilometres) around the star. This is 150 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. Hubble Space Telescope, JWST's predecessor, had clicked the outer asteroid belt before. But JWST's powerful ability to take images in Infrared light has meant that we can now glean deeper into the Fomalhaut solar system. "Where Webb really excels is that we're able to physically resolve the thermal glow from dust in those inner regions. So you can see inner belts that we could never see before," Schuyler Wolff, an astronomer at the University of Arizona who worked on the research, said, as quoted on the NASA website. Fomalhaut can be located by the naked eye as it is the brightest star in the southern constellation Piscis Austrinus. According to NASA, the asteroid belts around Fomalhaut are likely to have been carved out of gravitational fields of planets we haven't yet been able to see. Asteroid belts are often affected by the gravity of planets in a particular star system. For example, the massive gravitational force exerted by Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, keeps the asteroids in their particular orbit and largely locked in space. “The belts around Fomalhaut are kind of a mystery novel: Where are the planets?” said George Rieke, another team member and US science lead for Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which made these observations. “I think it's not a very big leap to say there's probably a really interesting planetary system around the star.” “We definitely didn't expect the more complex structure with the second intermediate belt and then the broader asteroid belt,” added Wolff. “That structure is very exciting because any time an astronomer sees a gap and rings in a disk, they say, ‘There could be an embedded planet shaping the rings!’” Rieke was quoted by NASA. The results of the research by the team have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

NASA's James Webb telescope clicks first asteroid belt ever seen outside solar system

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