Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting water molecules on the surface of two asteroids for the first time ever. The data was collected using NASA’s now-retired SOFIA airborne observatory, shedding new light on the distribution of water in our solar system.

The team of researchers studied four silicate-rich asteroids, utilizing the observations from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The Faint Object InfraRed Camera (FORCAST) instrument on SOFIA revealed specific wavelengths of light on two asteroids, Iris and Massalia, indicating the presence of water molecules on their surfaces.

Anicia Arredondo, the lead author of the study from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, emphasized the significance of understanding the distribution of water on asteroids, as it can provide insights into how water was delivered to Earth during the planetary formation process.

While water molecules have been previously detected in asteroid samples returned to Earth, this marks the first instance of finding water molecules on the surface of an asteroid in space. The success of detecting similar traces of water on the moon’s surface using SOFIA prompted the researchers to explore other celestial bodies for this spectral signature.

This groundbreaking discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the composition and distribution of water in our solar system, offering valuable insights into the origins of water on Earth and other celestial bodies.