New study suggests organic molecules on Ceres came from Asteroids, not volcanoes
Recent findings from NASA's Dawn spacecraft have led scientists to reconsider how organic molecules ended up on the dwarf planet Ceres. Previously, it was believed that cryovolcanic activity—volcanoes that erupt icy materials—in Ceres' interior brought these organic compounds to the surface. However, new research from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany suggests a different origin.
The study indicates that organic molecules on Ceres were likely deposited by asteroid impacts rather than being formed internally through volcanic processes. By analyzing spectral imaging data from the Dawn spacecraft, scientists mapped areas rich in organic materials and found they were not located near cryovolcanic sites.
Ranjan Sarkar, a scientist involved in the study, pointed out that these organic deposits are rare and not linked to volcanic features, challenging the earlier belief that volcanoes were responsible for bringing organic materials to the surface.
Further analysis suggests that slow-moving asteroids from the outer asteroid belt could be the source of these organic compounds. Due to their low impact speeds, the heat generated during collisions is insufficient to destroy the organic molecules, allowing them to remain on Ceres' surface.
Martin Hoffmann, another researcher at MPS, highlighted that there is no evidence of volcanic or tectonic activity in the areas where these organic compounds are found. This supports the theory that the organic materials were delivered from space by asteroid impacts rather than from within the planet itself.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bomb threat to Indian Museum in Kolkata turns out to be hoax
Kolkata(PTI): A bomb threat to the Indian Museum in Kolkata, which triggered a panic on Tuesday and prompted security personnel to launch a search operation, turned out to be a hoax, officials said.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for the security of the more than 200-year-old museum, had informed the New Market police station, following which a thorough search was initiated.
It was closed to visitors until a clearance was received from the police, sources said.
According to the officials, the museum authorities received an email which claimed that bombs would be planted in the museum on Tuesday. The message, however, did not specify the exact location.
"There are over 51 rooms in the museum, which are being searched by security personnel. So far, no suspicious object has been found," a police officer said.
The footpath of the Indian Museum on Jawaharlal Nehru Road has been cordoned off with guardrails.
The museum director, A D Choudhury, who is currently in Delhi, told PTI over the phone, "I have heard that an email had been sent. The CISF is conducting a search operation along with police."
To a question whether anything was found so far, he replied "I haven't got any such update."
To another query on whether it could have been a fool's day prank, he said, "Maybe, but we have to treat every such message seriously and inform the security agencies promptly."
Founded in 1814, the museum, which is India’s “oldest and largest” such facility, is located in the heart of Kolkata. It is an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Culture.
Kolkata # Notice put up by the Indian Museum Authority. https://t.co/ZnJCOXgnO9 pic.twitter.com/YTCXbAWEsU
— Syeda Shabana (@JournoShabana) April 1, 2025
