Asteroidal water

Asteroidal water is water[1][2][3] or water precursor deposits such as hydroxide (OH−[4]) that exist in asteroids (i.e., small Solar System bodies (SSSBs) not explicitly in the subcategory of comets).[5] The "snow line" of the Solar System lies outside of the main asteroid belt, and the majority of water is expected in minor planets (e.g. Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) and Centaurs). Nevertheless, a significant amount of water is also found inside the snow line, including in near-earth objects (NEOs).

The formation of asteroidal water mirrors that of water formation in the Solar System, either from transfer via bombardment, migration, ejection, or other means. Asteroidal water has recently been pursued as a resource to support deep space exploration activities, for example, for use as a rocket propellant, human consumption, or for agricultural production.

  1. ^ Rubin, A (1997). "Mineralogy of Meteorite Groups". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 32 (2): 231–247. Bibcode:1997M&PS...32..231R. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.1997.tb01262.x.
  2. ^ "Extraterrestrial H2O hunters". Retrieved 14 Jan 2019.
  3. ^ Dudley, J; Greenwood, J; Sakamoto, N; Abe, K; Kuroda, M; Yurimoto, H (2018). Water contents of angrites, eucrites, and ureilites and new methods for measuring hydrogen in pyroxene using SIMS. 49th LPSC.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference crawford was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Keppler H, Smyth JR (2006). Keppler H, Smyth J (eds.). Water in Nominally Anhydrous Minerals. ISBN 978-0-939950-74-4.