While Team 1 dealt with the basic structure and Team 2 with the possible formation, Team 3 around astronomer Will Grundy set itself the goal of learning as much as possible about the surface. The researchers examined the composition, color and temperature and found that it is uniformly red, cold and with Methanol-ice as well as previously unidentified organic molecules. “Even if no water was found, there could be some,” the researchers write. It could just be hidden.
All three groups draw the conclusion from their findings: Arrokoth is said to have arisen from a collision during a local collapse of the sun nebula.
Decades of preparation for the big moments
“Since 1992, astronomers have discovered a massive amount of massive bodies in orbit behind Neptune,” writes astronomer David Jewitt in an accompanying article, “In many ways, the knowledge from the belt has changed our ideas about the formation and development of the solar system.” But most of what we know about the belt comes from telescopes on Earth, the studies were limited to objects, that are greater than 100 kilometers because the smaller ones were too weak to be easily discovered. New horizons would have opened up completely new possibilities, writes Jewitt. p>
Each agrees with the authoring teams of the current studies on many points. Also in the possible origin: “The simplest conclusion is that Arrokoth is the result of a collision of two previously existing bodies,” he writes. This collision must have been gentle since there was no evidence of large pressure deformations at the junction of the two parts.
New Horizons was designed to catch a glimpse of a flyby. It worked very well. What should not be forgotten: more than two decades passed from the first concept to the historic rendezvous, but the probe collected the crucial information about Arrokoth – and also about Pluto – within a few days.
“Once we’ve done it, we can be sure that this isn’t the most efficient or desirable way to explore the outer solar system,” writes Jewitt. Future missions would have to look different: “We have to be able to send a spaceship to the Kuiper belt and hold it there, perhaps using the attraction of a larger object.” like NASA’s Dawn spacecraft from Ceres to Vesta.
It may still be unclear how a second visit could work, when and at what price, but one thing is certain: there are still some exciting pieces flying through space that are worth analyzing precisely.
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