Meteorite hunting in Antarctica is threatened by climate change

the The frozen plains of Antarctica It is becoming an increasingly challenging scenario for meteorite hunting, which is a valuable scientific resource for understanding meteorite composition Solar SystemAccording to an article published in CNN. A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change revealed that due to the climate crisis, nearly 5,000 lives have been lost Meteorites They can disappear every year in the Antarctic ice, making them inaccessible for research. This discovery jeopardizes the collection of precious extraterrestrial “time capsules” that have fallen to our planet.

Maria Valdesresearch scientist at Field Museum of Natural History The University of Chicago, part of an international team that discovered five meteorites in Antarctica between late 2022 and early 2023, notes: “Antarctica, an icy desert, provides an ideal backdrop for meteorite recoveryHowever, climate change threatens to bury these treasures under ice, making them difficult to discover and recover in the future.

meteorites, Space rocks What falls from the sky varies in size and origin. It can come from the Moon, Mars, or large asteroids. Each of these objects tells a unique story about our solar system, making them important objects to study for scientists. However, climate change is accelerating the rate at which these rocks sink into the Antarctic ice, jeopardizing the possibility of studying new samples.

the Meteorite search In the Antarctica It is not evenly distributed, but rather tends to be concentrated in certain areas due to the continent's geography and weather patterns. Blue ice fields, where wind and ice flow expose previously buried meteorites, are particularly rich in these objects. Led investigation Veronica TolinarThe article highlights how a doctoral researcher at the Free University of Brussels used a machine learning algorithm to identify areas rich in meteorites. This method produced a “treasure map” that promises to improve the efficiency of future expeditions to search for these objects.

However, the study forecasts Tolinar His team points out that under current climate change scenarios, with temperatures rising 2.6 to 2.7 degrees Celsius (4.7 degrees Fahrenheit to 4.9 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, that is between 28% and 30% of Meteorites in Antarctica It may be inaccessible. In a high emissions scenario, this number could rise to 76%.

Matthias van JenkenResearch Associate at Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science Subordinate University of Kenthighlighted CNN The importance of continuing to search for meteorites, despite the difficulties involved: “It is definitely worrying, but they will still be there Thousands of meteorites They can be found every year.” Furthermore, the report notes the need to explore new areas and invest more in logistical and financial support to continue these important results.

Meteorites found in Antarctica They have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the solar system. For example, samples collected in 1979 and 1981 were shown to be of lunar origin, expanding our understanding of the lunar surface beyond lunar landing sites. Apollo And moon. Kevin ReiterPlanetary world Johnson Space Center Subordinate a potIn a commentary published alongside the study, he confirms the following: “As meteorite collecting continues, it is likely that new types of meteorite will be found.”.

This panorama highlights the urgent need to adapt and enhance meteorite collecting efforts in Antarctica, in the face of the challenges posed by climate change. Science is in a race against time to preserve our access to these space rocks. Real time capsules containing secrets about the history and formation of our solar system.

the Antarctica It is a prime place for Meteorite search Because of its unique circumstances. The vast expanses of white ice are a perfect canvas on which to reflect Meteorites Dark objects stand out easily, making them easier to spot. In addition, the movement of glaciers helps concentrate these meteorites in areas known as blue ice fields, where winds remove the upper snow, exposing the ice and embedded meteorites.

The low rate of erosion on the frozen continent means that meteorites can be preserved in near-primitive conditions for long periods, providing valuable specimens for scientific research. These space rock fragments are essential to scientists seeking to understand them Formation and evolution of our solar systemBecause they provide clues about the formation of other planets, asteroids and interplanetary space.

Since the 1970s, scientific expeditions have collected thousands of meteorites in Antarctica. Among the most important results are: Martian and lunar meteoritesIn addition to some of the oldest and rarest meteorites ever found on Earth. These discoveries were crucial to advancing our knowledge of the universe.

Collection efforts in Antarctica They are carried out by international teams of researchers working in extreme conditions, demonstrating the scientific community's commitment to space exploration and understanding the universe.