Articles tagged with Meteorites
Researchers identified a rare CO chondrite meteorite as the probable impactor that struck Earth 66 million years ago, leading to the extinction of 75% of Earth's species. The study used advanced nickel isotope analysis to narrow down the composition of the deadly Cretaceous-Palaeogene meteorite.
A New Jersey meteorite contains high concentrations of salt and briny fluids that can create molecules vital for life on Earth. The discovery sheds light on the chemical origins of life on our planet.
New study by University of Southampton confirms the universe's expansion is still accelerating as previously found, debunking 2025 claims that the cosmos was slowing. The team re-evaluated data using Type Ia supernovae to calculate vast cosmic distances and found no error in their methods.
Scientists have discovered a rare meteorite that provides definitive evidence of a massive early planet, possibly as large as Mars or the moon. The Northwest Africa (NWA) 12774 angrite meteorite's unique geological makeup suggests a distinct evolutionary path in planetary formation.
Researchers detected ink and diamond fragments in Martian meteorites, highlighting the need to improve sample preparation protocols. The study proposes remedial actions to minimize contamination and ensure accurate characterization of extraterrestrial materials.
A Sydney PhD student has recreated a tiny piece of the Universe inside a bottle in her laboratory, producing cosmic dust from scratch. The results shed new light on how the chemical building blocks of life may have formed long before Earth existed.
A team led by ICE-CSIC analyzed C-type asteroids and carbon-rich minor bodies to assess their viability for resource extraction. The study supports the idea that these asteroids can serve as crucial material sources, but mining undifferentiated asteroids is still far from viable.
Researchers link Jupiter's birth to the formation of chondrites, a family of stony meteorites that preserve clues about the solar system's origins. The study suggests that Jupiter's rapid early growth created gaps and rings that protected the separation between inner and outer solar system material.
Researchers have discovered a new type of tektite exclusively found in South Australia, recording an ancient asteroid impact event approximately 11 million years ago. The unique glasses provide valuable insights into the destructive power of past impacts and their importance for planetary defense.
Astronomers discovered a greedy white dwarf star consuming its closest celestial companion at an unprecedented rate. The study found that the super-dense white dwarf is burning brightly due to the mass transfer between the two stars, potentially leading to a massive explosion visible from Earth.
Researchers at Nagoya University and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics have determined how molten rock droplets formed in Jupiter's early days. Their study shows that chondrule characteristics are influenced by the water content of impacting planetesimals, providing a clearer picture of solar system formation.
The OSIRIS-REx sample return mission revealed asteroid Bennu's composition, history, and unique materials. Researchers found stardust from other stars and organic material formed in interstellar space, shedding light on the early solar system's formation.
Researchers have found evidence of cosmic airbursts in ocean sediments and a shallow lake in Louisiana, which may support the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis. The discovery suggests that these high-energy events could be more common than previously believed and deserve closer attention.
Researchers at Göttingen University developed a method to reconstruct the early Earth's atmosphere using fossilized micrometeorites. The study found that intact micrometeorites can preserve reliable traces of oxygen isotopes over millions of years.
A 2.35-billion-year-old meteorite offers fresh insights into the Moon's volcanic history and suggests ongoing internal heat generation processes. The rock's distinct composition provides new constraints on when and how volcanic activity occurred on the Moon.
Researchers found that gamma-aminobutyric acid can induce the formation of nanocavities in montmorillonite clay, which could facilitate life's first chemistry. This discovery adds a new dimension to the concept of the 'warm little pond' and introduces an unusual suspect in the origin of life.
Politecnico di Milano will contribute to the RAMSES mission, studying Apophis' physical and dynamic properties through imagery and data gathered during its flyby. The university's team developed autonomous navigation algorithms that will serve as a test platform for new technologies.
A massive meteorite impact in Scotland, previously believed to occur 1.2 billion years ago, has been dated to 990 million years ago. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of non-marine life on Earth and its potential influence on environmental conditions.
A team of researchers at the University of Oxford has found evidence in a rare type of meteorite that supports the theory that water on Earth is native, rather than originating from asteroids. The discovery suggests that the early Earth had sufficient hydrogen to form water molecules.
Researchers analyzed over 8500 meteoroids and found that the atmosphere and Sun act like giant filters, destroying fragile carbon-rich meteoroids before they reach the ground. This discovery reshapes how scientists interpret meteorites collected so far and could influence future asteroid missions.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered heavy methane emissions from Swedish lakes, posing significant environmental concerns. The findings suggest that these lakes may be contributing to the country's overall greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of researchers describes the circumstances of a rare 2019 meteorite fall near Aguas Zarcas in northern Costa Rica, challenging the notion that mudball meteorites are weak. The recovered 27-kilogram meteorite, nicknamed 'Aguas Zarcas,' avoided collisions in space and did not exhibit cracks that weaken many meteorites.
The National Institute of Polar Research's collection offers invaluable insights into the early solar system and planetary bodies. With over 13,000 classified meteorites, it advances global research on planetary evolution and solar system history.
Researchers from Curtin University and Geological Survey of Western Australia have discovered the world's oldest known impact crater, dating back to 3.5 billion years ago. The discovery was made in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and provides new insights into the origins of life on Earth.
The study analyzed material from asteroid Bennu, finding evidence of building blocks of life, water, and energy. The team also discovered evaporites, which have been found on Earth in dried-out salt lakes, providing insights into the asteroid's formation.
The OSIRIS-REx mission returned a large sample from asteroid Bennu, which Japanese collaborators detected includes all five nucleobases required for life. The analysis revealed high concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen-rich organic matter.
Scientists have discovered complex structures and compounds in asteroid Bennu samples that suggest extraterrestrial brines played a crucial role in the development of organic compounds. The findings indicate that similar brines may still exist on other asteroids and dwarf planets, holding secrets to understanding life's origins.
Researchers from Göttingen University and Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered the Moon formed from material ejected from the Earth's mantle. The findings support the idea that water reached Earth early in its development, contrary to the prevailing assumption of late impacts.
Climate scientists from Utrecht University and the University of Manchester conclude that massive volcanic eruptions had little to no effect on dinosaur mass extinction. The team reconstructed air temperatures for the time period covering both volcanic eruptions and the meteorite impact, showing that temperatures had already stabilized...
A team of scientists has determined that a meteorite from Mars, the Lafayette Meteorite, was exposed to liquid water 742 million years ago. The minerals in the meteorite formed when there was liquid water present on the Martian surface, providing insight into the planet's past.
Scientists analyzed particles from asteroid Ryugu, revealing a weak magnetic field that likely pulled matter inward to form the outer planetary bodies. The team estimates that such a low-grade field intensity would have been enough to play a role in giant planet formation, from Jupiter to Neptune.
A study published in Science Advances suggests that unmelted asteroids, or 'primitive' materials, were a crucial source of volatiles on Earth. This finding implies that the materials necessary for life to emerge may not have been readily available without these unmelted asteroids.
Astronomers have reduced concerns about a potentially hazardous asteroid swarm near Earth after discovering fewer large space rocks than previously thought. The study found only a handful of asteroids, likely less than 14, that fit the large size class, suggesting a smaller parent object and reducing the risk of extinction-level events.
A new study by MIT and University of Chicago scientists pin down the origins of the moon's tenuous atmosphere, finding that meteorite impacts are the primary process. Over billions of years, these constant impacts have kicked up lunar soil, vaporizing certain atoms and lofting particles into a thin atmosphere.
Research led by Heidelberg University reveals that small water-rich astronomical bodies in the early solar system supplied building materials for planets, including the Earth. These planetesimals brought water to Earth through their thermal evolution and point of origin.
Researchers uncover dark particles and lighter components with stones, suggesting asteroids played a key role in delivering water and life to Earth. The samples also contain unexpected minerals, offering insights into Bennu's evolution and the early solar system.
Climate change causes melting of ice sheet, resulting in loss of about 5,000 meteorites per year. Researchers call for urgent action to preserve the scientific value of meteorites and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study reveals that climate warming is causing the rapid disappearance of Antarctic meteorites, with up to three quarters lost by the end of the century. Scientists estimate that around 300,000 meteorites remain at the surface, but are losing them at a rate of 5,000 per year.
Researchers have discovered a rare dust particle trapped in an ancient meteorite that formed from a star other than the sun. The particle contains exceptionally high levels of magnesium isotopes, which can only be explained by formation in a hydrogen-burning supernova.
A team from the University of Münster has detected biologically relevant nitrogen compounds and amino acids in an untreated English meteorite. The findings were made possible by a new type of detector design and high-resolution electron microscopy, offering insights into the origins of life on Earth.
Researchers have discovered nitrogen-bearing biorelevant molecules, including amino acids and nucleobases, in the Winchcombe meteorite. These findings suggest that the meteorite may have delivered crucial organic molecules to early Earth, potentially influencing the origin of life.
The samples from Wild 2 comet have revealed a record of the solar system's dynamic formative years, shedding light on the events that shaped its history. Researchers have found unusual carbon-iron assemblages and precursors to igneous spherules in the comet material.
Researchers from Curtin University analyze polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons extracted from Ryugu and Murchison meteorites, revealing that certain PAHs likely formed in the cold areas of space between stars. This discovery offers valuable insights into the history and chemistry of celestial bodies like asteroids and meteorites.
Scientists discovered a molten silicate layer beneath the Martian mantle using InSight mission data, contradicting earlier assumptions about the planet's internal structure. This new finding suggests that Mars experienced an early magma ocean stage and provides insights into the formation of its core.
A research team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered fossil spines that indicate the existence of irregular echinoids in the deep sea for at least 104 million years. The study provides insights into the past, including a mass extinction event that caused smaller species to thrive and changes in spine morphology.
A team of researchers has successfully tested a new asteroid detection algorithm, HelioLinc3D, which identified its first 'potentially hazardous' asteroid, 2022 SF289. The discovery confirms the algorithm's effectiveness in finding near-Earth asteroids with fewer and more dispersed observations than traditional methods.
Researchers found tiny salt crystals in an asteroid sample, indicating the presence of liquid water. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that ordinary chondrite asteroids lack hydrated minerals.
Scientists have detected uracil and nicotinic acid in asteroid Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. The discovery suggests that important building blocks for life were created in space and delivered to Earth via meteorites, supporting current theories on the source of nucleobases.
A new study led by University of Maryland researchers found that melted meteorites have extremely low water content, ruling them out as the primary source of Earth's water. The team suggests that unmelted, or chondritic, meteorites may be responsible for delivering water to our planet.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that around half of Earth's zinc inventory came from asteroids in the outer Solar System, contributing to the emergence of life on Earth. The study suggests that this material supplied other important volatiles like water, crucial for sustaining life.
Researchers have discovered that primitive meteorites contain a different mix of potassium isotopes than those found in other, more-chemically processed meteorites. This suggests that the Solar System was formed from a 'poorly mixed cake batter' of materials, with some planets receiving a unique blend of elements from distant sources.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a new pathway to forming presolar grains, which could help scientists better understand the interstellar environment and develop more efficient nanoparticles. The study suggests that these grains formed through a non-classical nucleation pathway, involving three distinct steps.
The Martian meteorite Tissint has revealed a rich inventory of organic compounds, offering insights into Mars' habitability. The study, published in Science Advances, discovered an unprecedented diversity of organic molecules, including magnesium compounds not previously seen on the planet.
Researchers found that gamma rays can catalyze the formation of amino acids in early meteorites, which could have contributed to the origin of life on Earth. The study provides evidence for a possible mechanism by which life's building blocks were delivered to our planet.
A team of researchers has discovered that a reaction sequence from the reverse Krebs cycle can take place without enzymes under metal or meteorite catalysis. The study suggests that simple organic molecules existed on early Earth, even before life as we know it developed.
Scientists have found a way to produce high-performance magnets without rare earth elements, using the 'cosmic magnet' tetrataenite. The discovery could reduce reliance on China's dominant rare earth supply, supporting low-carbon technologies.
A Curtin-led research team found asteroid impacts on the Moon millions of years ago coincide with large meteorite impacts on Earth, such as the one that wiped out dinosaurs. The study also reveals that major impact events on Earth were accompanied by smaller impacts, providing new insights into asteroid dynamics.
Researchers discovered lonsdaleite in ancient dwarf planet meteorites, confirming its existence and potential industrial applications. The unusual structure of lonsdaleite could help inform new manufacturing techniques for ultra-hard materials.
Researchers found compact fragments in the Aguas Zarcas meteorite that wouldn't break apart, leading to CT scans revealing deformed rocks with the same orientation. The team proposed a hypothesis that asteroids 'spit out' pebbles due to high-speed collisions and thermal cycling, which can cause rock brittleness.
Scientists discovered evidence of giant meteorite impacts that formed Earth's continents through the study of zircon crystals in Western Australia. The research provides strong support for the theory that these impacts played a key role in shaping the planet's geography.