Unexpected discoveries could lead to a new understanding of the origins of life on Earth.Red RocksThe New York Times reports that astronomers discovered two strange objects in the asteroid belt, between Jupiter and Mars, which appear to be filled with organic matter.These two rocks, 269 Justitia and 203 Pompeja, were glowing red in astronomical observation. They are far more red than any other object in the asteroid Belt. Observations show that objects without organic material reflect more blue light than those with more organic material.These asteroids are 70 miles and 35 miles in diameter, which could provide clues about the early chaotic days of our solar system.Orbital DanceInternational researchers were surprised by the fact that the asteroids turned out to be so bright red.AdvertisementAdvertisementThese organics can only be obtained if there is a lot of ice on the surface. This was Michal Marsset from MIT, who co-authored a paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters this Wednesday. They must have formed in very cold conditions. These complex organics are then created by solar radiation of the ice.These two objects, if confirmed, could be evidence of the planetary movement that occurred in the early stages our solar system. A common theory is that Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune moved outwards while Jupiter moved inwards. This could have happened over hundreds of thousands of years. This would cause the remaining planets to careen all across the solar system.It's an exciting discovery that could have implications for the origins and evolution of life, Karin Berg from Harvard University told the newspaper.We need to take a look at the data ourselves before we can determine definitively where 203 Pompeja or 269 Justitia originated.AdvertisementAdvertisementREAD MORE: Two Red Objects were Found in the Asteroid Belt. They shouldn't be there. [The New York Times]Continue reading: What is the Asteroid Belt?
