Articles tagged with Meteorites
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers from Denmark and Sweden have dated the massive Hiawatha impact crater in Greenland to 58 million years ago, revealing it occurred a few million years after dinosaurs went extinct. The crater's age opens up a new understanding of Earth's evolution during this period.
Scientists have developed a new way to date asteroid collisions, providing a clearer picture of how planets formed. By analyzing the Chelyabinsk meteorite, researchers found evidence of two distinct collision stages, shedding light on the timing and processes involved in planetary formation.
Researchers found two gas reservoirs, one containing solar gas and the other with terrestrial water signature, in the earliest stages of our solar system. This discovery suggests that Earth's water was present before the accretion of its constituent blocks.
Researchers have uncovered the truth behind the missing volatiles in meteorites, revealing a massive shockwave phenomenon that stripped elements from planetary building blocks. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of Earth's geochemical evolution and the Solar System's youth.
A University of Liverpool study found that meteorite impacts are determined by the minerology of the rocks hit, not the size of the impact. The study analyzed 44 impacts and found that those hitting rocks rich in potassium feldspar always correspond with mass extinction episodes.
Scientists have made new discoveries about the early solar system using meteorite glass beads. By analyzing the isotopic compositions of elements in these beads, researchers were able to determine that massive shockwaves passing through the nebula caused the extreme heating and cooling necessary for chondrule formation.
Researchers analyzed seismic data to uncover the composition of Elysium Planitia's shallow subsurface, revealing a regolith layer and basaltic rocks. The findings provide insights into Mars' geological history and properties that will inform future landed missions.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist has discovered a method for detecting and defining meteorite impact sites that have lost their craters. Gunther Kletetschka found that plasma created at the moment of impact altered the behavior of electrons in rocks' atoms, leading to minimal magnetism.
Researchers from UNLV have discovered a new mineral, davemaoite, which originated between 410-560 miles deep within the Earth's lower mantle. The calcium silicate compound was trapped in a diamond and preserved due to its incredible strength, making it possible for scientists to study its structure.
A new study analyzes presolar grains in meteorites to determine their stellar origins, using improved spatial resolution and isotopic analysis techniques. The research finds that the N isotope ratios of certain grains link them to different types of carbon stars, providing insights into the history of the universe.
A team of astronomers used dashcam footage to track a fireball over Slovenia, recovering three space rocks and tracing their origins in the Solar System. The fragments provide insights into the history of our Solar System and potential hazards like Near Earth Objects.
Scientists have developed a novel technique to analyze magnetites in meteorites, providing a historical record of the early Solar System's dynamics. By studying the Tagish Lake meteorite, researchers infer that the parent body formed in the Kuiper Belt and moved to the asteroid belt after Jupiter's formation.
Researchers have discovered polymers in CV3 meteorites, providing clues to the early solar system's space chemistry. The polymers, composed of glycine and other elements, formed organized structures with a high deuterium-to-hydrogen-isotope ratio, confirming their extraterrestrial origin.
A new study at Lund University tracked meteorite flux to Earth over 500 million years, revealing a stable flux contrary to current theories. Researchers analyzed sedimentary rocks and extracted chromium oxide grains from nearly 10,000 meteorites.
Researchers recovered 10,000 extraterrestrial chrome-spinel grains to establish a paleoflux record of meteorites falling to Earth. The results suggest that meteorite delivery has been largely stable over the past 500 million years.
Researchers challenge the notion that organic compounds like amino acids were formed from isotopically enriched substrates in the early solar system. They found that formose-type reactions create differences in carbon isotope concentrations between small and large organic molecules.
A new desalination process removes nearly 100% of toxic metals, producing clean water while capturing valuable metals. An infant-warming device reduces neonatal mortality rates by threefold in Rwanda, proving safe and effective without electricity.
An international team of researchers searched for pieces of the small asteroid 2018 LA, tracked in space and observed to impact Botswana on June 2, 2018. The recovered meteorites showed it likely came from Vesta, a second-largest asteroid in our Solar System.
A team led by Chris Yakymchuk at the University of Waterloo found that a three-billion-year-old crater in Greenland is inconsistent with an impact crater, but instead formed through normal geological processes. The discovery was made after a 40-million-year delay from the initial proposed meteorite impact date.
A new analysis of Peekskill meteorites and others suggests that asteroids formed through violent bombardment and subsequent reassembly. This finding challenges the prevailing idea of a peaceful early solar system. The researchers propose the 'rubble pile hypothesis,' which supports this conclusion.
Researchers propose that water emerges during planet formation, contradicting previous 'accidental' asteroid collision theory. The study found water on Mars for the first 90 million years of existence, suggesting it was a bioproduct of the planet's formation process.
Researchers have discovered a new high-pressure mineral in the lunar meteorite Oued Awlitis 001, which is composed of calcium, aluminum, and silicon atoms. The newly found mineral donwilhelmsite forms at depths of 460-700 kilometers and has relevance for understanding subducted terrestrial sediments
A recent study published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science reveals that the 'Fireball' meteorite, recovered quickly from a frozen lake in Michigan, contains pristine extraterrestrial organic compounds. This discovery provides valuable insights into the origins of life on Earth.
Researchers found micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized diamonds, along with metallic iron and graphite, in ureilite meteorites. The discovery suggests that diamond formation does not require a Mars-sized parent body, contradicting previous theories.
New study from University of Tokyo researchers calls into doubt a long-held theory about the early solar system. They found evidence that asteroid Vesta was hit by multiple impacting bodies around 4.4 billion to 4.15 billion years ago, earlier than previously thought.
A study of meteorites formed in the outer Solar System finds a mix of materials from inner and outer systems, suggesting Jupiter's formation may have trapped dust. The discovery could indicate that material transport between inner and outer systems was halted by Jupiter's formation.
Scientists have made key discovery using pre-solar grains found in primitive meteorites, providing new insights into stellar explosions and element formation. The new method involves analyzing chemical and isotopic composition of grains to study nuclear reactions like proton capture on chlorine.
Researchers investigate the chemistry of the earliest fluids in the Solar System by studying the framboidal magnetite grains in the Tagish Lake meteorite. They propose that a lack of amino acids may be due to insufficient precursor materials.
Researchers discovered a unique Apollo 17 sample with high-temperature mineralogical evidence that formed at incredibly hot temperatures, suggesting large-scale meteorite impacts played a critical role in the Moon's surface. The findings suggest these impacts not only destroyed the lunar crust but also helped build it.
A new analysis of the Curious Marie meteorite chunk reveals the presence of presolar silicon carbide grains, which were thought to be too fragile to have endured the high-temperature conditions near the sun's birth. This finding forces a revision in how scientists understand the environment in the early solar nebula.
A University of Washington team found that micrometeorites reacted with high levels of carbon dioxide on their journey to Earth, contradicting theories and evidence suggesting a nearly oxygen-free atmosphere. The study sheds light on the history of our planet's early days and could inform the search for life on other planets.
Scientists discovered stardust formed 5 to 7 billion years ago, the oldest solid material ever found on Earth. The presolar grains, trapped in meteorites, reveal a 'baby boom' of enhanced star formation 7 billion years ago.
Researchers have identified a possible buried impact crater in southern Laos as the origin of ancient tektites found across one-tenth of Earth's surface. The crater is believed to have formed approximately 790,000 years ago, with geochemical analysis and dating techniques supporting this claim.
Researchers have discovered a new model explaining why our planet has a higher concentration of stardust from red giant stars compared to other bodies in the solar system. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, suggests that the Earth's unique mix of elements was formed during its formation around the Sun.
Researchers found ribose and other essential sugars in meteorites, indicating an extraterrestrial origin. The discovery suggests that these sugars could have contributed to the formation of primordial RNA on Earth.
Researchers discovered fossil clams in Sarasota County that contained dozens of tiny glass beads, likely originating from an ancient meteorite impact. The beads were found to be microtektites, particles formed by the explosive impact of extraterrestrial debris cooling and recrystallizing before falling back to Earth.
Researchers discovered that the forces of flight through the atmosphere lead to the formation of conical meteorites. The 'Goldilocks' cones have angles that match real-world conical meteorite shapes. This finding sheds light on why many meteorites arrive on Earth in cone-shaped forms.
A team of researchers has reconstructed the late accretion history of the moon, resolving a long-standing problem about the source of highly siderophile elements. By modeling millions of meteor impacts, they found that less material was retained on the moon than on Earth due to its smaller size and shallow impact angles.
Researchers discovered aluminum oxide around a young massive protostar using ALMA data, providing insights into the early formation of meteorites and planets. The detection suggests that aluminum-rich dust can form in hot regions close to the star and later condense into solid particles.
Astronomers captured a meteorite hitting the moon's surface during January's total lunar eclipse, creating a crater up to 15 meters across. The impact was recorded using eight telescopes in Spain and revealed an object measuring 30-60cm in diameter, traveling at 61,000 kilometers per hour.
A study of a tiny grain of stardust older than our solar system has provided new insights into planetary system formation. The presolar graphite grain contained oxygen-rich silicates, contradicting the scientific hypothesis on two types of stardust material.
Researchers at UCF have created standards for simulated extraterrestrial surface material, allowing for accurate comparisons of test results across studies. The standardized simulant has a high fidelity match with a real meteorite, making it valuable for companies doing asteroid mining and testing.
Researchers used X-ray diffraction to track dynamic processes in feldspar minerals during simulated meteorite impacts. The results show that structural changes occur at varying pressures depending on the compression rate, highlighting a need for further investigation to understand impact conditions.
Researchers developed a new spectro-gonio radiometer called SHADOWS to analyze light reflected from very small or extremely dark materials. The instrument can probe samples measuring less than one millimeter cubed and provide information on physical and chemical properties.
Researchers have proposed a new method to investigate supernovae explosions, utilizing meteorites and electron anti-neutrinos. By measuring the amount of Ruthenium isotope 98Ru, scientists can estimate the characteristics of electron anti-neutrinos in supernovae, shedding light on their role in the explosion mechanism.
Scientists found that ancient silica-rich felsic rocks in Canada formed at high temperatures and shallow crust depths, likely due to meteorite bombardment. The results suggest that these rocks are the only surviving remnants of a barrage of extraterrestrial impacts that shaped Earth's early history.
A new study in Nature Astronomy finds that ancient blue crystals trapped in meteorites show evidence of the early Sun's intense activity, including more eruptions and a stronger stream of charged particles. The crystals, formed over 4.5 billion years ago, preserved chemical records of the young Sun's interactions with its surroundings.
Researchers Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Ian Crawford suggest two periods when Earth's Moon was habitable for simple lifeforms, including during its formation and a peak in volcanic activity around 3.5 billion years ago. Conditions were suitable for liquid water and an atmosphere to form on the lunar surface.
The Black Beauty meteorite contains rare zircon with high hafnium levels, providing a temporal framework for Martian crust formation. This study suggests that Mars had a solid crust within 20 million years of solar system formation, potentially hosting oceans and life.
A team of scientists from OIST discovered that crater rays form when small objects create shockwaves in the ground, focusing sand grains along radial streaks. They developed a theoretical model to predict ray patterns and even use it to estimate the diameter of lost meteorites.
Researchers have identified a new meteorite impact structure in Central Finland, measuring 2.6 km in diameter and 275 km north of Helsinki. The discovery is part of the country's growing list of confirmed impact structures, with Finland now ranking among the top countries to find these features.
A team of Japanese scientists has discovered a mineral known as moganite in a lunar meteorite, reinforcing the theory that water exists on the Moon. The existence of moganite implies that there is water activity on the Moon.
Two meteorites found to contain both liquid water and complex organic compounds like hydrocarbons and amino acids. The study suggests dwarf planet Ceres and asteroid Hebe may be sources of rich organic matter.
Scientists propose that molten metal percolates downward through tiny channels in rocks to form a planet's core. This 'trickle-down' theory contradicts earlier experiments suggesting most metals stay trapped in isolated pores.
A team of WSU researchers has observed and recorded the creation of hexagonal diamond in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite under shock compression. The discovery reveals crucial details about how hexagonal diamond is formed, potentially helping planetary scientists estimate impact severity at meteorite craters.
Scientists suggest that life began on Earth when meteorites splashed down and leached essential elements into warm little ponds. The 'warm little ponds' concept has been proven plausible through extensive research and calculations.
Scientists at the University of York discovered that amino nitriles in interstellar ice can trigger the formation of DNA's backbone molecule, 2-deoxy-D-ribose. This research throws doubt on the theory that amino acids formed before DNA.
Researchers have solved a long-standing riddle in the analysis of meteorites from Moon and Mars using high-pressure experiments at DESY's X-ray light source PETRA III. The study reveals that cristobalite can transform into seifertite under non-hydrostatic conditions, challenging previous assessments of meteorite formation conditions.
Scientists have developed a new technique to date ancient meteorite strikes using tiny crystal fragments. By analyzing the atomic nanostructure of these crystals, researchers can determine the age of impact and gain insight into the beginnings of life on Earth.
Researchers estimated the solar nebula's lifetime using ancient meteorites, finding it lasted around 3 to 4 million years. This discovery suggests gas giants Jupiter and Saturn formed within the first 4 million years of the solar system's formation.