Arrokoth is a fascinating celestial body located in the Kuiper Belt, a region filled with icy objects beyond Neptune. It’s unique because of its snowman-like shape and its great age—around 4 billion years. This shape is not uncommon; about 10-25% of objects in the Kuiper Belt resemble Arrokoth, appearing like peanuts or snowmen.
Scientists believe Arrokoth’s distinct form came from a process called gravitational collapse. This idea has been discussed before, but recent research has shed more light on it. Using computer simulations, a team led by Jackson Barnes from Michigan State University confirmed that gravitational collapse can indeed create these unique double-lobed shapes.
“This is something we’ve never seen from start to finish,” said Barnes, excited about the findings. The Kuiper Belt is essentially a leftover piece of the solar system’s early days, where small particles began to stick together due to gravitational forces. Over time, these clumps formed into larger solid bodies, known as planetesimals.
In their study, researchers ran 54 simulations. They began with a cloud of small particles, showing that sometimes, two planetesimals would spiral toward each other, gently touching and merging to create a shape resembling Arrokoth.
Barnes pointed out that previous attempts to simulate this process didn’t consider how particles interact when they touch each other. Earlier models suggested collisions would always create a larger, round object. However, the latest simulations show a more nuanced reality, where delicate contact can lead to distinct shapes.
Alan Stern, a planetary scientist and leader of NASA’s New Horizons mission, praised the study. He emphasized that the findings support the idea that Arrokoth was formed through gentle processes rather than violent collisions.
Interestingly, there are still unanswered questions about the formation of such objects. Alan Fitzsimmons, an expert in astronomy, noted that current models suggest only 4% of Kuiper Belt objects may form this way. However, telescopic surveys indicate higher numbers. This gap suggests that nature might have several ways to create unique shapes, and future research will be essential to unravel these mysteries.
Understanding bodies like Arrokoth not only informs us about our solar system’s history but also how larger planetary systems might evolve. As we explore more, who knows what new discoveries await?
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