Study Reveals That the Asteroid Responsible for Dinosaur Extinction Was a Carbon-Rich C-Type Space Rock
The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs might have come from the belt of asteroid between Mars and Jupiter.
The asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago and caused a global extinction event that ultimately resulted in the demise of the dinosaurs has been better understood according to recent studies. The impactor has now been recognized by scientists as a "C-type" asteroid, which is rich in carbon and most likely formed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Through the analysis of ruthenium isotopes discovered in the worldwide debris layer created by the collision at the Chicxulub impact crater, scientists have established that the composition of the asteroid differs from that of the natural minerals on Earth. It is anticipated that knowledge of the asteroid's composition will aid in the discovery of similar asteroid collisions in the future.
Analysis of Ruthenium Suggests an Asteroid Origin
The University of Cologne's Mario Fischer-Gödde was part of the research team that concentrated on ruthenium specifically since it is a good identifier for extraterrestrial material and is rare in Earth's crust. Through sample analysis from Denmark, Italy, and Spain, the researchers discovered a stable isotope composition compatible with that of carbonaceous asteroids.
The uniformity of the isotope composition across different geographical locations strengthens the case for the asteroid's extraterrestrial origin. This discovery is significant because it refutes competing theories that suggested the impactor might have been a comet or that rare metals like ruthenium were present in the debris layer due to volcanic eruptions, such as those from the Deccan Traps.
Oort Cloud or Asteroid Belt: The Most Likely Source
According to the study, the asteroid most likely formed in the belt of asteroid that lies between Mars and Jupiter. It's possible that a debris from a collision between two asteroids in this belt ended up colliding with Earth.
Nonetheless, it hasn't been completely ruled out that the asteroid could have originated in the farther-off Oort cloud, which envelops the solar system. This ambiguity allows for more investigation and study to learn more about the causes of these disastrous occurrences.
Effect on Our Knowledge of Earth's Past
Despite not being directly engaged in the study, Dr. Craig Walton of the University of Cambridge spoke with The Guardian on the importance of this discovery in deepening our understanding of Earth's past. The study offers vital new information on the nature of the celestial objects that have significantly influenced the planet's evolutionary course, even though there are still unsolved questions regarding the asteroid's precise origins.
These discoveries provide fresh insights into the susceptibility of Earth to cosmic impacts and advance our knowledge of how such occurrences have shaped the evolution of life on Earth.