A newly studied centaur, 2060 Chiron, has surprised scientists with its unusual combination of solid ice and gaseous emissions. This ancient object, orbiting between Jupiter and Neptune, may hold clues to the early solar system.
A strange rock mass first spotted in 1977 has been identified as 2060 Chiron. It is classified as a centaur, named for the mythological hybrid half-man, half-horse, and orbits the sun once every 50 years from the far reaches between the gigantic, gaseous planets Jupiter and Neptune. Scientists are studying Chiron because it uniquely contains a solidified icy exterior and gases coming from a region of its interior called a coma.
Researchers have found that the composition is uncharacteristic of objects near Neptune. Its gaseous and solid states, which lead to behavior like that of an asteroid and a comet, are also puzzling. Schambeau added that the high-powered Webb telescope “has made it accessible” to analyze gas-based objects far from the sun. “These detections enhance our understanding of Chiron’s interior composition and how that material produces the unique behaviors as we observe Chiron,” said Schambeau. The researchers also suggest that much of Chiron’s gas, such as carbon dioxide and methane, is primordial and dates back to before our sun formed millions of years ago. Pinilla-Alonso believes the hybrid holds answers about the early universe. “All the small bodies in the solar system talk to us about how it was back in time, which is a period of time we can’t really observe anymore,” she said. “But active centaurs tell us much more.” Pinilla-Alonso added that the team intends to “follow up” with Chiron as it approaches Earth and the sun. The goal is to “study it at nearer distances and get better reads on the quantities and nature of the ices” to understand its behavior better
CHIRON CENTAUR COSMOLOGY SOLAR SYSTEM ICY COMPOSITION
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