Collision On Main-Belt Asteroid: Astronomers Find Collision Evidence

First Posted: Nov 17, 2015 10:51 AM EST

A team of astronomers have found evidence showing that a main-belt asteroid had a collision earlier this year. The asteroid was identified as 493 Griseldis, which was reportedly hit by another space object, possibly another asteroid, in March, according to a news release. 493 Griseldis is a relatively dark main-belt asteroid, which is found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

The researchers carried their observations using the Subaru Telescope, in Maunakea, Hawaii. The results were announced during an annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences at the American Astronomical Society.

The Subaru Telescope detected that the main-belt asteroid had "an extended feature," which is also known as a tail, according to astronomers. The tail-like feature on (493) Griseldis occurred over a very brief period and four nights later, the researchers spotted a weak extension.

The researchers of the study wrote, "the observations are consistent with the occurrence of an impact event on this asteroid."

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