One of the company’s missions James Webb consists of analyzing data obtained in the past by other space telescopes. That’s right, looking at the 2004 data. Spitzerdiscovered massive asteroid impact in a neighboring star system. This is a very interesting discovery because it provides very useful information about how our planet may have come into being.
This is because the star system in question, Beta Painter, he is very young. Planets located in areas favorable for resemblance to Earth are in the stage of full birth. In fact, this asteroid collision may have resulted in the formation of one of these planets.
At that time, the Spitzer telescope detected only a cloud of particles of unknown origin. Now James Webb has confirmed that it may have been a trail of dust left by the collision of several asteroids and other large celestial bodies. This is a great discovery, which was presented by scientists from Johns Hopkins University in 244th Meeting of the American Astronomical Societyheld in Madison, Wisconsin.
Young planetary system in the vicinity of Earth
The Beta Pictoris system is very close to ours, it’s just 63 light years from Earth. This is a good subject to study since it is believed that he was born only 20 million years. This may seem like a lot. However, when you consider that the Earth began 4.5 billion years ago, its youth becomes much clearer.
Some gas giant planets have already been born in the vicinity of the star. At least two are known: Beta Pictoris from Beta Pictoris c. However, rocky planets like Earth form later and none of them have yet been discovered. For this reason, it is believed that the asteroid collision confirmed by James Webb could be precisely a signal of the imminent birth of one of these planets. A person’s eyes are focused on a unique event that is very difficult to detect.
From Spitzer to James Webb
Between 2004 and 2005, the Spitzer Space Telescope discovered particles of unknown origin in Beta Pictoris. During all this time, it was never known for certain what it could be.
Therefore, scientists from Johns Hopkins University They decided to use James Webb to analyze the size and composition of the particles. Interestingly, much of what Spitzer discovered no longer existed, and this is what provides clues to the existence of Massive asteroid collision.
The scientists’ hypothesis is as follows. After the collision, a large number of dust particles flew out, which, as they approached the star, heated up, emitting thermal radiation which could have been detected by Spitzer. Over time, these particles will cool and the James Webb Telescope will no longer be able to capture them. So when he measured the heat generated by crystalline silicates, he found nothing.
Initially, in 2005, it was believed that the agitation small bodies it would constantly replenish dust. But the lack of noticeable dust indicates that this is not what was happening. There was a collision, after which only small fragments remained, which disappeared and were not replaced. There was nothing to replace it.
Collision of large asteroids
As the researcher who led the investigation explains in a statement, Christine Chenthe amount of dust generated is 100,000 times the size of the asteroid that could destroy the Earth. dinosaurs.
It was a massive collision of large asteroids that takes us back in time to what could have been the birth of our planet. Once again, James Webb’s collaboration with another space telescope allows us to witness something incredible.
Source: Hiper Textual
