Asteroid simulation shows iron-rich rocks resist fragmentation

A CERN experiment irradiated an iron meteorite and found metal-rich asteroid material can absorb more energy and may strengthen rather than fragment.

Near-Earth objects are numerous and some can pose a potential impact risk. Planetary defense work depends on knowing how asteroid materials behave under extreme stress. An international team used CERN's HiRadMat facility to subject a Campo del Cielo iron meteorite sample to intense stress and recorded its response in real time. The study, published in Nature Communications, reports that the metal-rich sample absorbed increasing energy and in some cases became tougher instead of breaking apart. Key findings: - Researchers tested a Campo del Cielo iron meteorite sample at CERN and monitored how it deformed under rapid, intense stress. - Real-time measurements showed the sample dissipated more energy as applied stress increased. - Metal-rich (M-type) asteroid material in the experiment absorbed substantial energy and sometimes strengthened rather than fragmented. - These observations challenge conventional models that predict easy breakup and could affect thinking about how to deliver energy to an asteroid during deflection attempts. Summary: The findings indicate that some iron-rich asteroids may be more resilient than expected, which has implications for how energy is delivered in deflection strategies. Undetermined at this time.