Scientists: most asteroids come from a limited number of earlier break-ups
According to three different recently published papers (available here, here, and here), the majority of all meteorites hitting the Earth likely came from a limited number of specific past break-ups of larger asteroids.
New studies show that 70% of the 70,000 meteorites that have been found on Earth have come from 3 recent collisions in the main asteroid belt which sits between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The collisions occurred 5.8, 7.5 and 40 million years ago, according to the studies. They correspond to 3 young asteroid “families” known as Karin, Koronis and Massalia. These families formed from the destruction of asteroids at least 30km across.
The 70% number comes from data in the last two papers above, while the first paper claims it is more like 80% of all asteroids. The Massalia family is the most dominate, with it estimated to be the source 37% of all meteorites as well as a major impact half a billion years ago.
The first study also found that both Ryugu and Bennu came from the same event and are part of another family of asteroids called Polana.
According to three different recently published papers (available here, here, and here), the majority of all meteorites hitting the Earth likely came from a limited number of specific past break-ups of larger asteroids.
New studies show that 70% of the 70,000 meteorites that have been found on Earth have come from 3 recent collisions in the main asteroid belt which sits between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The collisions occurred 5.8, 7.5 and 40 million years ago, according to the studies. They correspond to 3 young asteroid “families” known as Karin, Koronis and Massalia. These families formed from the destruction of asteroids at least 30km across.
The 70% number comes from data in the last two papers above, while the first paper claims it is more like 80% of all asteroids. The Massalia family is the most dominate, with it estimated to be the source 37% of all meteorites as well as a major impact half a billion years ago.
The first study also found that both Ryugu and Bennu came from the same event and are part of another family of asteroids called Polana.