Post by Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College

☄️Unveiling a missing link in our cosmic backyard! ESE has contributed to an international study that uncovered a new type of primitive near-Earth asteroid, solving a long-standing mystery in planetary science. By analysing cosmic dust from Antarctica and urban environments, researchers identified a unique group of particles with an unusual chemical signature. Their entry speed and orbit point to a parent body never before observed – a sulphide-rich asteroid too fragile to survive as a meteorite, but traceable through microscopic dust. 🌠This discovery fills a longstanding gap in our understanding of the Solar System's diversity and proves that the smallest particles can reveal the biggest secrets. https://lnkd.in/e79psNnj University of Kent Università di Pisa #PlanetaryScience #NearEarthObjects