Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Reduced Mass Coordinates: Isolated Two-body Problem01:12

Reduced Mass Coordinates: Isolated Two-body Problem

2.5K
In classical mechanics, the two-body problem is one of the fundamental problems describing the motion of two interacting bodies under gravity or any other central force. When considering the motion of two bodies, one of the most important concepts is the reduced mass coordinates, a quantity that allows the two-body problem to be solved like a single-body problem. In these circumstances, it is assumed that a single body with reduced mass revolves around another body fixed in a position with an...
2.5K
Classifying Matter by Composition03:35

Classifying Matter by Composition

92.8K
Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures. 
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated. 
A mixture is composed of two or...
92.8K
Atomic Orbitals02:44

Atomic Orbitals

45.6K
An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution function indicates the total probability of finding an electron within the thin shell at a distance r from the nucleus. The atomic orbitals have distinct shapes which are determined by l, the angular momentum quantum number. The orbitals are often drawn with a boundary surface, enclosing densest regions of the cloud.
45.6K
Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect01:13

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

4.4K
Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...
4.4K
Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion01:10

Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion

5.7K
In the early 17th century, German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler postulated three laws for the motion of planets in the solar system. He formulated his first two laws based on the observations of his forebears, Nikolaus Copernicus and Tycho Brahe.
Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus put forth a theory that stated a heliocentric model for the solar system. According to this heliocentric theory, all the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in circular orbits.
On the other hand,...
5.7K
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab01:21

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab

1.1K
For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
 Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
1.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Compositions of iron-meteorite parent bodies constrain the structure of the protoplanetary disk.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same author

Compositions of carbonaceous-type asteroidal cores in the early solar system.

Science advances·2022
Same author

Exploring the Bimodal Solar System via Sample Return from the Main Asteroid Belt: The Case for Revisiting Ceres.

Space science reviews·2020
Same author

Planetary science. Identifying ancient asteroids.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2008
Same journal

Real particle physics analysis by UK secondary school students using the ATLAS Open Data: an illustration through a collection of original student research.

European physical journal plus·2026
Same journal

Sensitivity analysis of the top-quark sector.

European physical journal plus·2026
Same journal

Probing strong first-order electroweak phase transition scenarios in two-Higgs-doublet model with FCC-ee/CEPC.

European physical journal plus·2026
Same journal

Singlet-like correlations: equal peak work, unequal robustness.

European physical journal plus·2026
Same journal

The Vlasov bivector: a parameter-free approach to Vlasov kinematics.

European physical journal plus·2026
Same journal

From LUXE to future colliders: probing strong-field QED and beyond.

European physical journal plus·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
11:34

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths

Published on: July 1, 2019

11.0K

No exotic matter in asteroids.

Alan E Rubin1,2, Thomas H Burbine3

  • 1Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 USA.

European Physical Journal Plus
|February 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Asteroid densities are generally within expected physical limits. Claims of exotic matter, like superheavy elements or dark matter, in asteroids such as Polyhymnia are highly improbable based on current evidence.

More Related Videos

Experimental Methods of Dust Charging and Mobilization on Surfaces with Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation or Plasmas
07:54

Experimental Methods of Dust Charging and Mobilization on Surfaces with Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation or Plasmas

Published on: April 3, 2018

8.8K
Laboratory Drop Towers for the Experimental Simulation of Dust-aggregate Collisions in the Early Solar System
09:44

Laboratory Drop Towers for the Experimental Simulation of Dust-aggregate Collisions in the Early Solar System

Published on: June 5, 2014

13.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
11:34

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths

Published on: July 1, 2019

11.0K
Experimental Methods of Dust Charging and Mobilization on Surfaces with Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation or Plasmas
07:54

Experimental Methods of Dust Charging and Mobilization on Surfaces with Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation or Plasmas

Published on: April 3, 2018

8.8K
Laboratory Drop Towers for the Experimental Simulation of Dust-aggregate Collisions in the Early Solar System
09:44

Laboratory Drop Towers for the Experimental Simulation of Dust-aggregate Collisions in the Early Solar System

Published on: June 5, 2014

13.4K

Area of Science:

  • Planetary Science
  • Astrophysics
  • Cosmochemistry

Background:

  • Solar System bodies exhibit uniform abundances of non-volatile elements.
  • Asteroids are classified as either unmelted chondritic or differentiated bodies formed from melted chondritic progenitors.
  • Asteroid compositions, based on reflectance spectra, align with meteorite compositions, which consist of common materials like silicates and metallic iron.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate claims that asteroid (33) Polyhymnia possesses an unusually high density, suggesting exotic compositions.
  • To assess the likelihood of asteroids containing superheavy elements (SHEs), alpha matter, or degenerate dark matter.
  • To reinforce the understanding of asteroid composition based on established physical and chemical principles.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of published asteroid density data, including anomalous values.
  • Comparison of asteroid spectral data with known meteorite compositions.
  • Evaluation of theoretical models proposing exotic matter in asteroids against observational evidence and physical constraints.

Main Results:

  • The reported bulk density for asteroid (33) Polyhymnia (75.3 ± 9.7 g cm⁻³) is characterized as unrealistic and non-physical.
  • Meteorites, predominantly originating from asteroids, are composed of non-exotic materials.
  • Spectral data from asteroids, including those labeled as 'compact ultradense objects' (CUDOs), do not differ significantly from other asteroids within their taxonomic classes.

Conclusions:

  • It is exceedingly unlikely that Polyhymnia or other asteroids contain exotic matter such as stable superheavy elements or degenerate dark matter.
  • The existence of SHEs and degenerate dark matter remains unproven, and alpha matter is typically found only in extreme astrophysical environments.
  • Asteroid densities are constrained by known physics and the composition of meteorites, supporting a non-exotic material basis.