Story perspectives
Asteroid Belt's Ancient Mass Loss Revealed by Research
10/3/2025
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Story summary
- The asteroid belt, between Mars and Jupiter, consists of remnants from the solar system's formation about 4.6 billion years ago.
- Jupiter's gravity prevented planet formation, causing destructive collisions; Julio Fernández estimates the belt loses 0.0088% of mass per million years, with 20% escaping to space and 80% becoming dust.
- Geological evidence indicates belt was 50% more massive 3.5 billion years ago.
