Articles tagged with Meteors
Researchers have developed a micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) detection and characterization system for satellites and spacecraft. The system can detect impact details, including particle size and volume, and alert spacecraft of potential hits.
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 suggest that an ancient, weak magnetic field and a large plasma-generating impact combined to create a strong magnetic field on the moon. This process could explain the presence of highly magnetic rocks near the south pole's far side, where the Imbrium basin is located.
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.
Researchers have developed a geologic map of the asteroid belt, identifying source regions for different types of meteorites. The study, published by the SETI Institute, uses data from over 75 laboratory-classified meteorites with tracked impact orbits.
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 study published in Science reveals that ancient asteroid impact may have led to the evolution of fungus-farming ants, which were able to cultivate fungi due to a shortage of food sources. The findings support the hypothesis that this relationship defines the emergence of agriculture.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that the 2014 meteor fireball's signal was not from an extraterrestrial source but likely from a truck. The team re-examined data and found that the signal matched a road near the seismometer, contradicting earlier reports of alien materials.
Researchers found a rare pathway allowing a moon fragment to reach Earth's quasi-satellite orbit. The study suggests that many more lunar fragments remain to be discovered among the near-Earth asteroid population.
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.
A study suggests that iron-rich particles from meteors and volcanic eruptions could have generated precursors for organic molecules needed for life. The researchers found that these particles promoted the conversion of carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons and other compounds under various conditions.
NASA solar observatories have discovered that asteroid Phaethon's comet-like tail is not composed of dust, but rather sodium gas. The findings contradict previous theories and suggest a new explanation for Phaethon's behavior, which is the source of the annual Geminid meteor shower.
Researchers have identified tens of thousands of molecular 'puzzle pieces' in two meteorites, including a larger amount of oxygen atoms than expected. This analysis provides a unique window into the origin of life itself and sheds light on the formation of the universe.
Researchers located four new craters created by impacts on Mars' surface using data from a seismometer and visuals acquired from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This is the first time that researchers have captured the dynamics of an impact on Mars.
Research on asteroid 2008 TC3 reveals that larger meteorites survived to the ground, contradicting previous assumptions about interior shielding. The study's findings provide new insights into asteroid fragmentation and the origins of space rocks.
Researchers from Finland, Canada, and Russia have discovered an unusual, hourglass-shaped dust trail of the comet 17P/Holmes. The particles that formed the dust trail were released by the most powerful outburst by a comet, with the authors developing a new model that realistically describes the evolution of cometary dust trails.
A Middle Bronze Age city in the Jordan Valley was destroyed by a high-temperature fire, likely caused by a meteorite impact. The site contains evidence of shocked quartz, melted pottery, and diamond-like carbon, supporting a cosmic airburst hypothesis.
Researchers have found conclusive evidence that a massive cosmic airburst destroyed the biblical city of Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan Valley around 3600 years ago. The impact, which is believed to be equivalent to a 12-megaton explosion, was characterized by temperatures exceeding 2,000°C and the formation of melted metals and glass.
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that lunar samples do not show signs of magnetization from a magnetic shield. The lack of magnetization suggests that the moon has never had a prolonged dynamo field. Without this protection, solar wind implanted volatiles like helium 3 in the lunar soil.
Researchers have successfully combined radar and optical observations to study interplanetary dust, gaining insights into meteor mass and composition. By correlating subtle signals in radar data with detailed optical information, scientists can now explore comets and aspects of solar system evolution.
Researchers used AI to detect bomb craters from satellite images, increasing true detection by over 160%. The study suggests 44-50% of the area's dropped bombs may still be unexploded, posing a risk to local farmers. This method could help identify high-priority areas for demining efforts.
Researchers using geochronological dating techniques determine Wolfe Creek Crater's age to be around 120,000 years old. The crater is one of seven impact sites in Australia dating back to this period, with a calculated rate of large meteorite impacts on Earth every 17,000 years.
Physicists at Kazan Federal University developed a refined simulation of joint reception areas for meteor radio reflections. The study reveals that unpredictable nature of meteors makes signal interception challenging, with practical possibilities disappearing at 30 km distances.
University of Oregon geologists discovered unusual seafloor structures indicating heightened worldwide magmatic activity 66 million years ago after the Chicxulub meteor struck. The research suggests seismic waves from the impact triggered accelerated volcanism globally, contributing to a mass extinction event.
A team of scientists, led by Richard Spalding, discovered that the brilliant pulsating light emitted by burning asteroids can heat surrounding objects and generate sounds. This phenomenon, known as photoacoustic coupling, produces faint sounds similar to rustling leaves or whispers.
Researchers discovered microscopic crystals telling of unimaginable pressures and temperatures when a 12-kilometer asteroid formed Meteor Crater. The zircons endured temperatures of 2,000 degrees Celsius, revealing an unusual realm for geology where extreme pressure and temperature occur briefly.
A new computer simulation called MEteor engages middle school students in learning physics concepts like planetary motion and gravitational acceleration by having them physically act out asteroid travel. The study found that students who used the immersive simulation showed significant gains in understanding and positive attitudes towa...
Researchers have resolved the dynamics of phase change in hexagonal diamond formation during meteor impacts. The team conducted in situ X-ray diffraction measurements of dynamic diamond formation on nanosecond timescales.
Researchers at Duke University simulate high-speed impacts in artificial soil and sand, finding that materials get stronger when struck harder. This challenges previous models and may lead to better control of earth-penetrating missiles.
Researchers at SDSC are using a Linux cluster built with 16 Raspberry Pi computers to teach children and adults about parallel computing. The system, named Meteor, will be demonstrated at SC13, featuring gaming competitions and interactive presentations.
Scientists tracked the Chelyabinsk meteor plume using NASA satellite data, observing its formation of a thin stratospheric dust belt. The plume evolved as it moved around the Northern Hemisphere, with different particles experiencing varying wind speeds.
A team of Australian researchers suggests that a 2.5 million-year-old meteor impact in the Pacific Ocean may have generated a mega-tsunami and plunged the world into the Ice Ages. The Eltanin meteor, up to two kilometers across, crashed into deep water, potentially destabilizing the planet's climate system.
Researchers aim to understand how much space dust reaches the Earth's surface, estimating it could be as high as 300 tonnes per day. The project will also explore cosmic dust's interaction with clouds causing ozone depletion and its potential impact on climate models.
Researchers at NIST and Clemson University measured the energy of highly charged ion impacts on thin film surfaces, revealing that 27% of the remaining energy goes into changing the material's shape. This study aims to improve predictive models for surface damage and erosion in various industries, including fusion reactors.
Researchers at Yale University found a ceratopsian horn fossil buried just five inches below the K-T boundary, suggesting that dinosaurs did not go extinct prior to the impact. The discovery provides further evidence for the impact hypothesis and may have closed the 'three-meter gap' in the fossil record.
Scientists have discovered a new hydrothermal vent with temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius, finding chimneys as high as one meter and gas bubbles in the water column. The discovery of at least five other sites with gas plumes suggests that many more small active sites exist along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Philip R. Christensen, Regents' Professor of Geological Sciences at ASU, has been awarded the G.K. Gilbert Award for his work on remote sensing of minerals on Mars using infrared instruments. The award recognizes his discoveries, including a large deposit of hematite and silica minerals, which may offer clues about a Martian biosphere.
A study published in JAMA found that rosuvastatin reduces the rate of progression of arterial thickening and stops but does not reverse atherosclerotic disease in middle-aged individuals with low Framingham risk scores and evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis. The medication also showed a similar safety profile to placebo.
A team of paleontologists proposes that the Chicxulub meteor impact was not the sole cause of the dinosaurs' demise. Instead, they suggest that a series of massive meteor impacts, volcanic eruptions, and climate change culminated in the end of the Cretaceous Period.
A study of the Haughton Impact Crater has revealed life-friendly features at ground zero, including hydrothermal systems and blasted rocks that are easier for microbes to inhabit. The crater's unique geology makes it a prime target in the search for signs of past or present life on Mars.
Researchers are using a new radar installed at the Rothera research base in Antarctica to investigate climate change and explore giant waves in the mesosphere, the least-explored part of the Earth's atmosphere. The radar uses meteors as 'miners' canaries to measure winds and temperatures, revealing frigid temperatures in the mesosphere.
Researchers confirm Bedout impact crater as potential 'smoking gun' of a massive meteor collision, linked to the Permian-Triassic extinction and the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary mass extinctions. The team found evidence of shock-melted rock formations, feldspar glass, and similar correlative lava flows in India and Siberia.
Researchers have discovered a new deep-sea jelly, Stellamedusa ventana, which uses its bell and oral arms to capture prey. The jelly's unique feeding strategy is unlike other species, as it prefers larger prey, with some individuals capturing creatures up to 5 cm across.
A research team led by Luann Becker found evidence of a large impact at the end-Permian boundary in Antarctica, suggesting it triggered the Great Dying, a time of mass extinctions. The team discovered shocked quartz, metallic grains, and breccia layers with similar characteristics to other mass extinction sites.
A Los Alamos researcher has calculated the frequency of meteor encounters with the atmosphere, finding that individual monitoring stations would see about five meteor signals a year. This research will help improve the accuracy and reliability of nuclear test detection systems.
The Iturralde Crater Expedition 2002 aims to determine if the site was created by a meteor impact. The team will analyze rocks, soil, and magnetic properties to confirm or rule out an impact origin. They will also examine the area's vegetation structure and drainage patterns.
Scientists have discovered proof of an ancient earth-shaking asteroid impact in South Africa and Northwest Australia, using ancient rocks containing spherules formed from vaporized meteor material. The study provides insight into the earliest known meteor strike on Earth, which had a profound impact on the planet's surface and climate.
The new global network of listening posts will track atmospheric signals from diverse events like secret nuclear tests, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes. Infrasound energy is generated by meteors, chemical explosions, supersonic aircraft, tornadoes, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
Marshall engineers reported a peak of 1,700 Leonids meteors per hour, confirming the accuracy of computer models used to predict meteor showers. The joint operation center worked well, with representatives from NASA, U.S. Air Force and University of Western Ontario collaborating to ensure safe satellite operations.
Scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will launch a weather balloon equipped with a digital camera to broadcast web images of the Perseid Meteor Shower. The camera will provide a clearer view of the meteor shower and capture particles from the stratosphere during the event.
The Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft is taking precautions to withstand the November 17 Leonid meteor storm, which could pose a risk due to its close proximity to the comet's wake. NASA technicians are adjusting the spacecraft's orientation and instruments to minimize damage from the massive cloud of Leonid particles.
This week, Earth will pass by the orbit of comet Giacobini-Zinner on October 8th, which could lead to a historic Giacobinid meteor storm. If debris is present ahead of the comet, hourly rates may exceed 3000 meteors per hour, rivaling the predicted Leonid storm.
Researchers developed a method to send data by bouncing radio signals off meteor trails during the Cold War. A Seattle-based company, StarCom Technologies, has created a civilian version of this system as a cheap alternative to satellite technology.
A computer network manager proposes using obsolete ICBMs to create spectacular pyrotechnic displays, releasing thousands of artificial meteors into the atmosphere with different colours depending on their chemicals. The plan aims to reuse Cold War relics for entertainment rather than scrap them.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that millions of tiny, previously undetected invaders enter the Earth's atmosphere daily. These micrometeorites are thought to be leftover material from the formation of the solar system and carry significant energy, potentially damaging satellites and spacecraft.