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Asteroid Ryugu's Water Flow Challenges Earth's Origins Theory

9/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study published on September 11, 2025, indicates that liquid water flowed on asteroid Ryugu over 1 billion years after its formation.
University of Tokyo researchers analyzed samples from JAXA's Hayabusa2 mission, challenging prior beliefs about asteroid water activity.
Isotope analysis revealed late-stage fluid movement that altered the isotopic record.
An impact likely melted buried ice, enabling water flow through Ryugu's parent body.
This discovery implies asteroids like Ryugu may have contributed more water to early Earth than previously believed.

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Story summary

A study published on September 11, 2025, indicates that liquid water flowed on asteroid Ryugu over 1 billion years after its formation.
University of Tokyo researchers analyzed samples from JAXA's Hayabusa2 mission, challenging prior beliefs about asteroid water activity.
Isotope analysis revealed late-stage fluid movement that altered the isotopic record.
An impact likely melted buried ice, enabling water flow through Ryugu's parent body.
This discovery implies asteroids like Ryugu may have contributed more water to early Earth than previously believed.