Astronomy Picture of the Day 9-19-02

NASA ^ | 9-19-02 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 September 19

Asteroid 1998 KY26
Credit: NASA, JPL, image courtesy of Steve Ostro

Explanation: A day is just under 11 minutes long on 1998 KY26, a 30 meter wide, fast-spinning, water-rich asteroid. This computer simulated view of its lumpy surface has a resolution of about 3 meters and is based on radar and optical observations (click on the image for a series of surface views). The observations were made shortly after the discovery of the diminutive world which passed within about 800,000 kilometers of Earth, or about 2 times the Earth-Moon distance, in June of 1998. Around 10 million asteroids of similar size may exist in orbits that also come near Earth's, but little is known about them. However, spinning so fast, tiny 1998 KY26 can not be a loose conglomerate held together by gravity alone. Instead it is likely a monolithic chunk fragmented from a larger asteroid. As the radar and optical data suggest 1998 KY26 has a high water content, this relatively accessible asteroid could be a literal oasis for future space explorers.

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Fun Fact:

High water content! Asteroids are a treasure trove waiting to be mined. This is the way we will expand out into the rest of the Solar System. It's not worth dragging the materials up out of Earth's gravity well. Using asteroids for building materials and propellant is the way to go.

Sorry to get this out so late; I wanted to do it this morning before work. However, a thunderstorm was blowing through and I always disconnect the 3 computers just in case. Thanks for your patience!

[petuniasevan]

[2Trievers]

Then there's this offering from Titleist ...

Which gives rise to the nagging question ... how many dimples are there on a golf ball? &;-)

[headsonpikes]

"High water content!"

Great; then we'd just need an asteroid with high coffee content.

Mining the asteroid belt...it brings memories of 'Galaxy' and 'If' from the early 50s. ;^)

[foolish-one]

Aaaahhhh! Much better now!!! Thanks.

[RightWhale]

"Its optical and radar properties suggest a composition like carbonaceous chondrite meteorites

This is one of the plums. Those who get out there first with the right equipment will claim the plums. After the plums are picked, celestial resources will be harder to get to and not so rich.

The Bush campaign promised to check into the question of property rights in outer space. Haven't heard any results so far and that oppressive and onerous UN Treaty on Outer Space is still in place.

[MeekOneGOP]

[sleavelessinseattle]

Got Milk and Sugar? LOL! Make mine a Lagrange point Latte with atmosphere!

[BossyRoofer]

Great picture and explanation! Sounds like future space travel will be the way nomads crossed the ancient deserts, one oasis at a time. Great job APOD!

[Graewoulf]

What is measured, in terms of properties, to reach the conclusion that this object is "water-rich?"

[petuniasevan]

It's the radar "signature" that is measured. This asteroid has the radar characteristics of a carbonaceous chondrite.

From a press release at a NASA website:

"1998 KY26's color and radar reflectivity showed similarities to carbonaceous chondrites, primordial meteorites which formed during the origin of the solar system, and unlike any rocks formed on Earth. They contain complex organic compounds as well as 10 percent to 20 percent water."

[Graewoulf]

Thanks for the prompt reply!