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New Study Reveals Formation of Double-Lobed Planetesimals

2/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers ran 54 simulations showing gravitational collapse can form double-lobed planetesimals resembling Arrokoth.
The study, led by Jackson Barnes of Michigan State University, shows planetesimals orbit and merge into contact binaries.
Alan Stern of NASA's New Horizons mission praised the findings as evidence of a gentle formation process.
Alan Fitzsimmons warned the simulations imply only about 4% of objects form contact binaries, possibly conflicting with observations.

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Story summary

Researchers ran 54 simulations showing gravitational collapse can form double-lobed planetesimals resembling Arrokoth.
The study, led by Jackson Barnes of Michigan State University, shows planetesimals orbit and merge into contact binaries.
Alan Stern of NASA's New Horizons mission praised the findings as evidence of a gentle formation process.
Alan Fitzsimmons warned the simulations imply only about 4% of objects form contact binaries, possibly conflicting with observations.