[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Fun Fact:

High water content! Asteroids are a treasure trove waiting to be mined. This is the way we will expand out into the rest of the Solar System. It's not worth dragging the materials up out of Earth's gravity well. Using asteroids for building materials and propellant is the way to go.

Sorry to get this out so late; I wanted to do it this morning before work. However, a thunderstorm was blowing through and I always disconnect the 3 computers just in case. Thanks for your patience!

[petuniasevan]

[headsonpikes]

"High water content!"

Great; then we'd just need an asteroid with high coffee content.

Mining the asteroid belt...it brings memories of 'Galaxy' and 'If' from the early 50s. ;^)

[foolish-one]

Aaaahhhh! Much better now!!! Thanks.

[RightWhale]

"Its optical and radar properties suggest a composition like carbonaceous chondrite meteorites

This is one of the plums. Those who get out there first with the right equipment will claim the plums. After the plums are picked, celestial resources will be harder to get to and not so rich.

The Bush campaign promised to check into the question of property rights in outer space. Haven't heard any results so far and that oppressive and onerous UN Treaty on Outer Space is still in place.

[MeekOneGOP]

[BossyRoofer]

Great picture and explanation! Sounds like future space travel will be the way nomads crossed the ancient deserts, one oasis at a time. Great job APOD!

[Graewoulf]

What is measured, in terms of properties, to reach the conclusion that this object is "water-rich?"