Ice Discovered on 24 Themis Asteroid

[Stanwyck66]

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48174/title/Ice_confirmed_on_an_asteroid

Ice was discovered covering the entire surface of one of the largest asteroids in the asteroid belt. However, the most fascinating part to me is this:

"At the asteroid’s average distance from the sun — 3.2 times Earth’s distance to the sun — frozen water on the surface would readily vaporize, noted Campins. That means the ice must be continually replenished, possibly by a reservoir of frozen water within the rock, he speculates."

Could the asteroid have liquid water at its center which is seeping out?

 

[Arch2008]

According to this article, a subsurface water ice reservoir would also last for billions of years, so the presence of liquid water in the asteroid would not necessarily be indicated by the surface ice:
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48174/title/Ice_confirmed_on_an_asteroid

 

[Stanwyck66]

Obviously this is pure conjecture but considering the size of 24 Themis, wouldn't tidal forces alone be enough to create enough interior heat to sustain liquid water? (assuming it's orbit permitted this)

If not can we assume that a majority of rocks in the asteroid belt contain both water ice AND organic compounds?

 

[Arch2008]

At 3.2 AU, 24 Themis would orbit between Mars and Jupiter, i.e., millions of miles from either at closest approach, so not a lot of chance for tidal forces from these larger bodies affecting the asteroid. However, the asteroid is over one hundred miles in diameter. If it is mostly of an element with an isotope that would sink to its core and provide heat from radiation…just conjecture.
We can assume a lot of things, but until we do a proper survey of asteroids we will not know anything with certainty. Over the weekend I was wondering if microbes might be easier to find on asteroids than under 6 miles of ice on Europa. Assumptions are so tempting!

 

[sardar]

I find this discovery of ice on the Themis asteroid to be incredibly exciting and intriguing. This finding opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for understanding the composition and evolution of asteroids in our solar system.

The fact that the ice is covering the entire surface of the asteroid raises questions about its origin and maintenance. It is likely that the ice is being replenished from a source within the asteroid, possibly a reservoir of frozen water at its center. This raises the possibility of liquid water existing within the asteroid, which could have important implications for the potential habitability of these objects.

Further research and analysis will be necessary to confirm the presence of liquid water and to understand its role in the formation and evolution of the Themis asteroid. This discovery highlights the importance of continued exploration and study of asteroids in order to gain a better understanding of our solar system and its history.