A meteorite that fell in New Jersey on July 16, 2024 is providing valuable information to NASA scientists about primitive water and the chemical evolution of ancient asteroids in the solar system.
The prompt recovery of the meteorite was crucial for the research. A local amateur astronomer observed the fall, recognized its scientific importance, and carefully stored the fragments in aluminum foil and glass jars using protective gloves. This precaution helped preserve the delicate organic compounds of the rock.
Discoveries about water in primitive asteroids
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, used the meteorite’s trajectory captured by weather cameras and laboratory data to trace its origin. Researchers identified that the meteorite, known as Hillsborough, belongs to the CM carbonaceous chondrites, a class of rocks containing some of the oldest materials in space.
The composition of the meteorite revealed a surprising high concentration of sodium, something unusual for this type of space structure. To investigate more deeply, the team employed advanced electron microscopes to analyze the sample from millimeter scales to the atomic level.
Detailed analyses showed the presence of microfractures with ancient brines. These salty waters circulated through the asteroid billions of years ago, modifying its internal mineralogy and leaving intact physical evidence that was preserved after the impact on Earth.
“The fragments of the saltiest parts of this meteorite are comparable to samples from the Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx missions,” noted Mike Zolensky from the Johnson Space Center.
Additionally, amino acids and complex organic compounds were found, placing Hillsborough at the level of the famous 1969 Murchison meteorite, a benchmark in extraterrestrial organic chemistry.
Danny Glavin, a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, highlighted that this discovery demonstrates how essential components for life continue to arrive on our planet.
The study suggests that salt-rich brines were more common in the asteroid belt than previously thought. By tracing the meteorite’s path, its possible belonging to the Erigone asteroid family, visited by space probes, was determined.
Research on the Hillsborough meteorite continues, providing a unique opportunity to understand the role of asteroids in the distribution of water and organic materials in the universe.
