Rare Asteroid Beyond Jupiter Confirmed as Dinosaur-Killing Culprit

  In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have finally pinpointed the origin of the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. This catastrophic event led to the mass extinction of 70% of Earth's species and has long puzzled researchers. However, a new study published in Science reveals that this deadly asteroid was not a comet, as previously speculated, but a rare C-type asteroid formed beyond Jupiter's orbit.

Credit:- AI Imagination


  • Asteroid's Origin: The study's lead author, Mario Fischer-Godde, a geochemist from the University of Cologne, used advanced techniques to analyze ruthenium isotopes in sediment samples. These isotopes, which match those in asteroids beyond Jupiter, indicate that the Chicxulub impactor originated from this distant region.

  • Debunking the Comet Theory: Previous theories suggested a comet might have caused the mass extinction. However, the new findings firmly establish that a rare asteroid, not a comet, was the true culprit.

  • Implications for the Future: Understanding the origins of such catastrophic events helps us prepare for future threats. If another C-type asteroid were to head toward Earth, it could pose a severe risk, much like the Chicxulub impactor did millions of years ago.

The 66 million-year-old Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary layer in Denmark, one of many sites around the world that contain fragments of the large asteroid that struck Chicxulub, Mexico. (Image credit: Steven Goderis/Philippe Claeys)

This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of Earth's history but also provides crucial insights into planetary defense and the origins of life.


By:- Ranjan
#AsteroidImpact #DinosaurExtinction #SpaceDiscovery #ScienceNews #PlanetaryDefense

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

India's Lunar Rover Finds Evidence of the Moon's Ancient Magma Ocean

Image
  In a breakthrough discovery, India's lunar rover " Pragyan " has unveiled evidence of the Moon's ancient global magma ocean . The findings, published in Nature by an Indian research team, mark the first-ever measurements from the Moon's polar highlands , broadening our understanding of the Moon's early history. The Pragyan rover’s wheels penetrated several centimeters into the lunar soil, allowing the rover’s APXS instrument to analyze the composition of the lunar regolith below the top surface layer. Credit: ISRO Around 4.5 billion years ago, a cataclysmic collision in the early solar system led to the formation of the Moon, which was once covered by a vast ocean of molten magma. This theory gained more robust backing after Pragyan's investigation of the rocks at the Vikram lander's site, now named "Point Shiv Shakti," located near the Moon's south pole. The rover analyzed samples using an Alpha Particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS),...
Read more

NASA's Gateway: Humanity's First Space Station to Orbit the Moon Set for 2028 Launch

Image
  NASA's Gateway Unveiled: A Stunning Tour of Humanity's First Space Station to Orbit the Moon In collaboration with international partners, NASA is gearing up to launch the Gateway, a revolutionary lunar-orbiting space station, by 2028. This state-of-the-art hub will be a cornerstone for deep space exploration, featuring advanced modules dedicated to power, habitation, and scientific research. Designed to support the Artemis missions, Gateway will have sophisticated systems like the Power and Propulsion Element and HALO and contributions from international agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Starting with the Artemis IV mission in 2028, Gateway will be home to international teams of astronauts conducting scientific experiments and preparing for missions to the lunar South Pole region. This historic endeavor marks the first time humans will reside in deep space. The Gateway space station hosts the Orion spacecraft ...
Read more

ISRO Unveils Gaganyaan Astronauts for India's Historic Space Odyssey in 2025! 🚀

Image
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has set the stage for an epic chapter in India's space exploration journey by unveiling four valiant astronauts for the highly anticipated Gaganyaan mission ! 🌟 In a noteworthy collaboration with the Indian Air Force , ISRO proudly presents the elite team of astronauts who will embark on a groundbreaking mission to propel India into the cosmos. 🌌 Selected from the cream of the crop, these four astronauts, fondly known as Vyomnauts , are set to etch their names in history. Meet the fearless pioneers who will represent India in the vast expanse of space: Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair , Group Captain Ajit Krishnan , Group Captain Angad Pratap , and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla . 💫 Under the visionary leadership of Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, the Gaganyaan mission aims to catapult three Indian astronauts into orbit, where they will orbit at a staggering 400 km altitude for three days before safely returning ...
Read more