December 23, 2024

Micrometeoroid Bombardment and Magnetic Fields: Decoding the Effects of Interplanetary Space on Asteroid Ryugu

Scientist evaluated samples from asteroid Ryugu, collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, exposing brand-new insights into area weathering and magnetic homes. They are called vortex magnetic domain structures and are more stable than common hard disks, which can tape-record magnetic fields for more than 4.6 billion years. He discusses that the strength of the magnetic field in the early solar system decreased as worlds formed, and measuring the remnant magnetization on asteroids can expose details about the magnetic field in the extremely early phases of the solar system.Iron nanoparticles distributed around pseudo-magnetite. (C) Magnetic flux distribution image of the main area of A and B. No magnetic field lines can be seen in the pseudo-magnetite, whereas concentric vortex-like magnetic domain structures can be seen inside the iron particles as shown by black arrows. Future research studies of these nanoparticles will hopefully expose insights into the magnetic field that the asteroid has experienced over long durations of time.Implications for Space Exploration” Although our research study is primarily for basic scientific interest and understanding, it could likewise help approximate the degree of destruction likely to be triggered by space dust impacting manned or robotic spacecraft at high velocity,” Kimura concludes.Reference: “Nonmagnetic framboid and associated iron nanoparticles with a space-weathered feature from asteroid Ryugu” 29 April 2024, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-024-47798-0.

They are called vortex magnetic domain structures and are more steady than ordinary tough disks, which can record magnetic fields for more than 4.6 billion years. He discusses that the strength of the magnetic field in the early solar system reduced as planets formed, and determining the remnant magnetization on asteroids can reveal details about the magnetic field in the really early stages of the solar system.Iron nanoparticles dispersed around pseudo-magnetite. (C) Magnetic flux distribution image of the central area of A and B. No magnetic field lines can be seen in the pseudo-magnetite, whereas concentric vortex-like magnetic domain structures can be seen inside the iron particles as revealed by black arrows.