A recent study indicates that the object responsible for the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago was a rare type of asteroid from the distant corners of the Solar System.
A team of researchers led by Mario Fischer-Gödde from the University of Cologne investigated the isotopic composition of ruthenium in rocks formed after the asteroid impact. Ruthenium is a scarce metal that is largely absent from the Earth's crust, as most of it is concentrated in the planet's core. However, it is relatively common in space rocks. The scientists analyzed samples from five different locations in Europe, where traces of the catastrophe were found.
The researchers compared their findings with isotopic ratios in meteorites and rocks formed from other major collisions over the last 541 million years. The results revealed that the "dinosaur killer" belonged to a rare type of C-type asteroids, which form beyond Jupiter's orbit.
Contrary to popular belief, the object was identified as an asteroid rather than a comet. This discovery is significant for developing strategies to safeguard Earth against cosmic threats. C-type asteroids can enter an orbit around the inner Solar System, giving us an opportunity to detect and deflect them. However, there is a risk that such an object could appear unexpectedly, leaving us with only a few months to respond.
Interestingly, most major collisions since the formation of the Solar System were caused by S-type asteroids. These are easier to detect, which increases our chances of preventing a disaster. Previous research suggested that a comet was responsible for the dinosaurs' demise, but the new data refutes this theory.
The results of the study were published in the journal Science.
Source: Iflscience
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