nivek
As Above So Below
Mysterious Stone Found in Egypt Contains Exotic Alien Compounds
The Hypatia Stone appears unremarkable on the surface, measuring just a few centimeters across and dark grey in color. What makes the pebble unique is its chemical composition, one that is unlike any other known substance on Earth or in space.
Where did the Hypatia stone come from?
Most planets and known meteorites contain silicate minerals and a small amount of carbon, but the Hypatia pebble has been found to have a nearly opposite composition of mostly carbon with very little silicon.
Even stranger, the pebble contains a high amount of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, a major component of interstellar dust which existed before our own solar system formed. Georgy Belyanin, a geologist at the University of Johannesburg and one of the authors of the study of the hypatia stone, says this unique composition may date it to before the birth of our own Sun and place its origin outside of our own solar system:
If confirmed, that would make it the only own fragment from this period of the universe’s history. It’s still unknown from where the pebble originated, however.
There is a chance it could have originated in a comet or meteorite from the far edges of our solar system, but since we haven’t been able study those objects, scientists are still unsure of their compositions. Furthermore, if it came from our solar system, it would challenge our entire understanding of how our solar system formed.
Pretty impressive for a pebble.
The Hypatia Stone appears unremarkable on the surface, measuring just a few centimeters across and dark grey in color. What makes the pebble unique is its chemical composition, one that is unlike any other known substance on Earth or in space.
Where did the Hypatia stone come from?
Most planets and known meteorites contain silicate minerals and a small amount of carbon, but the Hypatia pebble has been found to have a nearly opposite composition of mostly carbon with very little silicon.
Even stranger, the pebble contains a high amount of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, a major component of interstellar dust which existed before our own solar system formed. Georgy Belyanin, a geologist at the University of Johannesburg and one of the authors of the study of the hypatia stone, says this unique composition may date it to before the birth of our own Sun and place its origin outside of our own solar system:
If confirmed, that would make it the only own fragment from this period of the universe’s history. It’s still unknown from where the pebble originated, however.
There is a chance it could have originated in a comet or meteorite from the far edges of our solar system, but since we haven’t been able study those objects, scientists are still unsure of their compositions. Furthermore, if it came from our solar system, it would challenge our entire understanding of how our solar system formed.
Pretty impressive for a pebble.
