Study Uncovers Briny Water Flows on Airless Worlds

Research reveals that meteoroid impacts may create temporary brine flows on bodies like Ceres and Vesta, reshaping their landscapes.

A new study suggests that meteoroid impacts can melt subsurface ice on airless worlds, creating temporary flows of salty water.
These briny flows can last long enough to cause erosion, forming gullies and landslides on bodies such as Ceres, Vesta, and Europa.
The research, conducted by SwRI and NASA's JPL, used simulations to demonstrate how these flows occur under vacuum conditions.
Findings indicate that salt and water mixtures remain liquid longer than pure water, allowing for significant geological changes.
This discovery hints at the presence of water on these worlds in the recent past and suggests potential for future exploration missions.