Asteroid Collision

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Images taken by the Hubble Telescope reveal a scene of two asteroids that collided in space. At first glance researchers thought what they were looking at was a comet, but what they soon realized was for the first time in history they were witnessing the aftermath of two asteroids colliding.

The collision occurred in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Although we have witnessed the results of such collisions before, this is the first time researchers have had the opportunity to witness resulting debris so soon after a collision.

Based on the debris configuration, it is believed the collision happened a few months ago. The orbit of the colliding objects suggest them to be from a part of the asteroid family that has also been suggested as being the source of the asteroid believed to have struck the Earth long ago.

The observation of the debris is enabling the researchers to better understand how objects break up in space.

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Astronomers spot aftermath of asteroid collision - Los Angeles Times