ScienceDaily: Near-Earth Object Impact News

The mammoth's lament: How cosmic impact sparked devastating climate change

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:55:55 EDT

Researchers have found evidence of a major cosmic event near the end of the Ice Age. The ensuing climate change forced many species to adapt or die.

Moon and Earth have common water source

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

New research finds that water inside the moon's mantle comes from the same source as water on Earth. The Moon is thought to have formed after a giant impact to a still-forming Earth 4.5 million years ago. These new findings suggest that Earth may have had water at the time of that impact, and some of that water may have been transferred to the moon.

Studying meteorites may reveal Mars' secrets of life

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:32:32 EDT

In an effort to determine if conditions were ever right on Mars to sustain life, a team of scientists has examined a meteorite that formed on the Red Planet more than a billion years ago.

A comet, not an asteroid, may have killed the dinosaurs, experts propose

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:24:24 EDT

In a geological moment about 66 million years ago, something killed off almost all the dinosaurs and some 70 percent of all other species living on Earth. Only those dinosaurs related to birds appear to have survived. Most scientists agree that the culprit in this extinction was extraterrestrial, and the prevailing opinion has been that the party crasher was an asteroid. Not so, say two researchers who favor another explanation, asserting that a high-velocity comet led to the demise of the dinosaurs.

Origin of life: Power behind primordial soup discovered

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:22:22 EDT

Researchers may have solved a key puzzle about how objects from space could have kindled life on Earth.

New evidence ancient asteroid caused global firestorm on Earth

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:42:42 EDT

A new look at conditions after a Manhattan-sized asteroid slammed into a region of Mexico in the dinosaur days indicates the event could have triggered a global firestorm that would have burned every twig, bush and tree on Earth and led to the extinction of 80 percent of all Earth's species, says a new study.

Moon and asteroids share history, NASA scientists find

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:52:52 EDT

NASA and international researchers have discovered that Earth's moon has more in common than previously thought with large asteroids roaming our solar system.

Southampton scientist investigates Russian meteor

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:04:04 EST

Dr Hugh Lewis from the University of Southampton has analysed the recent extraordinary Russian meteor event using the "NEOImpactor" tool, which was developed by researchers from the University and designed to investigate the risks faced by the Earth from asteroid impacts.

New evidence that comets could have seeded life on Earth

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:14:14 EST

Scientists have shown that complex molecules can form on icy dust in space, suggesting that comets may have brought these molecules to Earth and seeded the growth of more complex building blocks of life. The team zapped icy snowballs of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, producing complex molecules, such as dipeptides, that are capable of catalyzing the formation of more complex structures.

Iowa meteorite crater confirmed: USGS airborne surveys back up previous Decorah research

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:02:02 EST

Recent airborne geophysical surveys near Decorah, Iowa are providing an unprecedented look at a 470-million-year-old meteorite crater concealed beneath bedrock and sediments. The aerial surveys, a collaboration of the U.S. Geological Survey with the Iowa and Minnesota Geological Surveys, were conducted in the last 60 days to map geologic structures and assess the mineral and water resources of the region.

Antarctic scientists discover 18-kilogram meteorite

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:34:34 EST

An international team of scientists have discovered a meteorite with a mass of 18 kilograms embedded in the East Antarctic ice sheet, the largest such meteorite found in the region since 1988.

How to kill an asteroid? Get out a paint spray gun

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:11:11 EST

There is research that is off the wall, some off the charts and some off the planet, such as what a Texas A&M University aerospace and physics professor is exploring. It’s a plan to deflect a killer asteroid by using paint, and the science behind it is absolutely rock solid, so to speak, so much so that NASA is getting involved.

Russian asteroid strike: Numerous injuries, significant damage

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:21:21 EST

A space rock a few metres across exploded in Earth's atmosphere above the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia today (Feb. 15, 2013) at about 03:15 GMT. The numerous injuries and significant damage remind us that what happens in space can affect us all.

Russia meteor not linked to asteroid flyby, preliminary data indicate

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:17:17 EST

Preliminary information indicates that a meteor in Chelyabinsk, Russia, is not related to asteroid 2012 DA14, which is flying by Earth safely today.

Near-Earth asteroid makes preview appearance

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:11:11 EST

Like trailers for the coming attraction, new images show asteroid 2012 DA14 on its way to a record-close approach to Earth on Feb. 15. One image, taken by amateur astronomer Dave Herald of Murrumbateman, Australia, on Feb. 13, shows the asteroid as a tiny white dot in the field of view. Another set of animated images, obtained by the Faulkes Telescope South in Siding Springs, Australia, on Feb. 14, and animated by the Remanzacco Observatory in Italy, shows the asteroid as a bright spot moving across the night sky.

'Near-miss' asteroid tracked

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:04:04 EST

An asteroid the size of a small office block is due to pass by Earth on Friday 15 February in one of the closest ‘near-misses’ in recent history. Although there is no chance of the asteroid hitting Earth, the huge rock is being closely monitored by astronomers, as part of an on-going program to monitor ‘Near Earth Objects’ (NEO).

New NASA mission to help us better estimate asteroid impact hazard

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:20:20 EST

Every year, sensors designed to detect nuclear explosions see harmless bursts in Earth's upper atmosphere from the breakup of an asteroid a few yards across. Tiny asteroids are much more numerous than big ones, so destructive hits to Earth are very rare. However, because of their potential for devastation, NASA's Near-Earth Object (NEO) observations program supports surveys which are undertaking sustained searches to find the largest objects and predict their impact threat to Earth.

New evidence suggests comet or asteroid impact was last straw for dinosaurs

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:14:14 EST

While many assume that a comet or asteroid impact killed off the dinosaurs, the actual dates of the impact and extinction are imprecise enough that some have questioned the connection. Scientists have now dated the extinction with unprecedented precision and concluded that the impact and extinction where synchronous. While global climate change probably brought dinosaurs and other creatures to the brink, the impact likely was the final blow.

Small asteroid to whiz past Earth safely

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:13:13 EST

The small near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 will pass very close to Earth on February 15, so close that it will pass inside the ring of geosynchronous weather and communications satellites. NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office can accurately predict the asteroid's path with the observations obtained, and it is therefore known that there is no chance that the asteroid might be on a collision course with Earth. Nevertheless, the flyby will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up close.

Study rebuts hypothesis that comet attacks ended 9,000-year-old Clovis culture

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:53:53 EST

Rebutting a speculative hypothesis that comet explosions changed Earth's climate sufficiently to end the Clovis culture in North America about 13,000 years ago, researchers assert that other explanations must be found for the apparent disappearance.

Prehistoric humans not wiped out by comet, say researchers

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:24:24 EST

Comet explosions did not end the prehistoric human culture, known as Clovis, in North America 13,000 years ago, according to new research.

Asteroid deflection mission seeks smashing ideas

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:28:28 EST

A space rock several hundred metres across is heading towards our planet and the last-ditch attempt to avert a disaster -- an untested mission to deflect it -- fails. This fictional scene of films and novels could well be a reality one day. But what can space agencies do to ensure it works?

NASA rules out Earth impact in 2036 for asteroid Apophis

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:35:35 EST

NASA scientists at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., effectively have ruled out the possibility the asteroid Apophis will impact Earth during a close flyby in 2036. The scientists used updated information obtained by NASA-supported telescopes in 2011 and 2012, as well as new data from the time leading up to Apophis' distant Earth flyby Jan. 9, 2013.

Oxygen to the core: Earth's core formed under more oxidizing conditions than previously proposed

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:13:13 EST

Scientists have discovered that Earth's core formed under more oxidizing conditions than previously proposed. While scientists know that Earth accreted from some mixture of meteoritic material, there is no simple way to quantify precisely the proportions of these various materials. The new research defines how various materials may have been distributed and transported in the early solar system.

First meteorite linked to Martian crust

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:32:32 EST

After extensive analyses, researchers have identified a new class of Martian meteorite that likely originated from Mars's crust. It is also the only meteoritic sample dated to 2.1 billion years ago, the early era of the most recent geologic epoch on Mars. The meteorite contains an order of magnitude more water than any other Martian meteorite.

Meteorite triggered scientific 'Gold Rush'

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:41:41 EST

A meteorite that exploded as a fireball over California's Sierra foothills this past spring was among the fastest, rarest meteorites known to have hit the Earth, and it traveled a highly eccentric orbital route to get here.

New meteorite suggests that asteroid surfaces more complex than previously thought

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:41:41 EST

Meteorites that fell from an asteroid impact that lit up the skies over California and Nevada in April are showing scientists just how complex an asteroid surface can be. A new study describes the speedy recovery of the meteorites and reports that this space rock is an unusual example from a rare group known as carbonaceous chondrites, which contain some of the oldest material in the solar system.

How does a volcanic crater grow? Grab some TNT and find out

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:09:09 EST

A new study examines maar craters, which resemble the bowl-like cavities formed by meteorites but are in some ways more mysterious.

Meteorite samples provide evidence of water and rock types on Mars

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:25:25 EST

Researchers report on geochemical studies that help towards settling the controversy that surrounds the origin, abundance, and history of water on Mars.

Mars formed from similar building blocks to that of Earth, reveals study of Martian meteorites

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:35:35 EST

A team of scientists studied the hydrogen in water from the Martian interior and found that Mars formed from similar building blocks to that of Earth, but that there were differences in the later evolution of the two planets. This implies that terrestrial planets, including Earth, have similar water sources.

'Space gems': Rare meteorites created in violent celestial collision

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:15:15 EST

A tiny fraction of meteorites on Earth contain strikingly beautiful, translucent, olive-green crystals embedded in an iron-nickel matrix. Called pallasites, these "space gems" have fascinated scientists since they were first identified as originating from outer space more than 200 years ago. Now a new study shows that their origins were more dramatic than first thought.

Meteorites reveal warm water existed on Mars

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:30:30 EST

Hydrothermal fractures around Martian impact craters may have been a habitable environment for microbial life. New research into evidence of water on Mars determined that water temperatures on the Red Planet ranged from 50°C to 150°C. Microbes on Earth can live in similar waters, for example in the volcanic thermal springs at Yellowstone Park, the scientists behind the research point out.

Asteroid belts of just the right size are friendly to life

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:12:12 EDT

Solar systems with life-bearing planets may be rare if they are dependent on the presence of asteroid belts of just the right mass, according to a new study. Researchers suggest that the size and location of an asteroid belt, shaped by the evolution of the Sun's protoplanetary disk and by the gravitational influence of a nearby giant Jupiter-like planet, may determine whether complex life will evolve on an Earth-like planet.

Mass extinction study provides lessons for modern world

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:42:42 EDT

The Cretaceous Period of Earth history ended with a mass extinction that wiped out numerous species, most famously the dinosaurs. A new study now finds that the structure of North American ecosystems made the extinction worse than it might have been.

'Curiosity' on Mars sits on rocks similar to those found in marshes in Mexico

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:18:18 EDT

Millions of years ago fire and water forged the gypsum rocks locked in at Cuatro Ciénegas, a Mexican valley similar to the Martian crater where NASA's Rover Curiosity roams. A team of researchers have now analysed the bacterial communities that have survived in these inhospitable springs since the beginning of life on Earth "Cuatro Ciénegas is extraordinarily similar to Mars. As well as the Gale crater where Curiosity is currently located on its exploration of the red planet, this landscape is the home to gypsum formed by fire beneath the seabed," as explained by an evolutionary ecologist.

New model reconciles the Moon's Earth-like composition with the giant impact theory of formation

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:17:17 EDT

The giant impact believed to have formed the Earth-Moon system has long been accepted as canon. However, a major challenge to the theory has been that the Earth and Moon have identical oxygen isotope compositions, even though earlier impact models indicated they should differ substantially. A new model accounts for this similarity in composition while also yielding an appropriate mass for Earth and the Moon.

Moon was created in giant smashup; Vaporization of impactor left signature in tiny excess of heavier form of zinc

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:18:18 EDT

It's a big claim, but scientists say they have discovered evidence that the Moon was born in a flaming blaze of glory when a body the size of Mars collided with the early Earth. The evidence might not seem all that impressive to a nonscientist: a tiny excess of a heavier variant of the element zinc in Moon rocks. But the enrichment probably arose because heavier zinc atoms condensed out of the roiling cloud of vaporized rock created by a catastrophic collision faster than lighter zinc atoms, and the remaining vapor escaped before it could condense.

Scientists provide window on space radiation hazards

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:18:18 EDT

Astrophysicists have created the first online system for predicting and forecasting the radiation environment in near-Earth, lunar, and Martian space environments. The near real-time tool will provide critical information as preparations are made for potential future manned missions to the moon and Mars.

Meteorite delivers Martian secrets

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:14:14 EDT

A meteorite that landed in the Moroccan desert 14 months ago is providing more information about Mars, the planet where it originated.

Ancient Buddhist statue made of meteorite, new study reveals

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:42:42 EDT

An ancient Buddhist statue which was first recovered by a Nazi expedition in 1938 has been analyzed by a team of scientists. The probably 1,000-year-old statue, called the “Iron Man”, weighs 10 kilograms, portrays the Buddhist god Vaisravana and is believed to originate from the pre-Buddhist Bon culture of the 11th Century. Geochemical analyses by the German-Austrian research team revealed that the priceless statue was carved from an ataxite, a very rare class of iron meteorites.

Did a 'forgotten' meteor have a deadly, icy double-punch?

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:36:36 EDT

When a huge meteor collided with Earth about 2.5 million years ago and fell into the southern Pacific Ocean it not only could have generated a massive tsunami but also may have plunged the world into the Ice Ages, a new study suggests.

Hadley Crater provides deep insight into Martian geology

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:14:14 EDT

Recently engaged in providing support to the successful landing of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover, ESA's Mars Express has now returned to its primary mission of studying the diverse geology and atmosphere of the 'Red Planet' from orbit. Earlier this year, the spacecraft observed the 120 km wide Hadley Crater, providing a tantalizing insight into the martian crust. The images show multiple subsequent impacts within the main crater wall, reaching depths of up to 2600 m below the surrounding surface.

Dinosaur die out might have been second of two closely timed extinctions

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:43:43 EDT

New research indicates that shortly before an asteroid impact spelled doom for the dinosaurs, a separate extinction triggered by volcanic eruptions killed life on the ocean floor.

Researchers simulate volcanic eruptions: Large-scale experiment to shed light on powerful natural disaster

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:20:20 EDT

A rare large-scale attempt to simulate volcanic eruptions will provide much-needed insight into one of Earth's most powerful and mysterious natural disasters.

How life turned left: Meteorite fragments help explain why living things only use molecules with specific orientations

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:07:07 EDT

Researchers analyzing meteorite fragments that fell on a frozen lake in Canada have developed an explanation for the origin of life's handedness -- why living things only use molecules with specific orientations. The work also gave the strongest evidence to date that liquid water inside an asteroid leads to a strong preference of left-handed over right-handed forms of some common protein amino acids in meteorites.

New clues to the early solar system from ancient meteorites

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:52:52 EDT

In order to understand Earth's earliest history -- its formation from solar system material into the present-day layering of metal core and mantle, and crust -- scientists look to meteorites. New research focuses on one particularly old type of meteorite called diogenites. These samples were examined using an array of techniques, including precise analysis of certain elements for important clues to some of the solar system's earliest chemical processing.

Solar system ice: Source of Earth's water

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:47:47 EDT

Scientists have long believed that comets and, or a type of very primitive meteorite were the sources of early Earth's volatile elements. Understanding where these volatiles came from is crucial for determining the origins of both water and life. New research focuses on ice that was distributed throughout much of the early Solar System. The team's findings contradict prevailing theories and suggest that meteorites are the most-likely sources of the Earth's water.

Earth's oldest known impact crater found in Greenland

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:46:46 EDT

Scientists in working in Western Greenland have found evidence of an asteroid or comet impact early in the Earth's history. At three billion years old, the crater is a billion years older than the previously oldest known crater.

Scientists find new primitive mineral in meteorite

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:19:19 EDT

In 1969, an exploding fireball tore through the sky over Mexico, scattering thousands of pieces of meteorite across the state of Chihuahua. More than 40 years later, the Allende meteorite is still serving the scientific community as a rich source of information about the early stages of our solar system's evolution. Recently, scientists discovered a new mineral embedded in the space rock -- one they believe to be among the oldest minerals formed in the solar system.

No Earth impact in 2040: NASA releases workshop data and findings on asteroid 2011 AG5

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:32:32 EDT

Researchers anticipate that asteroid 2011 AG5, discovered in January 2011, will fly safely past and not impact Earth in 2040. Observations to date indicate there is a slight chance that AG5 could impact Earth in 2040. Experts are now confident that in the next four years, analysis of space and ground-based observations will show the likelihood of 2011 AG5 missing Earth to be greater than 99 percent.

New evidence supports theory of extraterrestrial impact

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:36:36 EDT

Scientists have discovered melt-glass material in a thin layer of sedimentary rock in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Syria. According to the researchers, the material -- which dates back nearly 13,000 years -- was formed at temperatures of 1,700 to 2,200 degrees Celsius (3,100 to 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit), and is the result of a cosmic body impacting Earth.

Why Earth is not an ice ball: Possible explanation for faint young sun paradox

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:20:20 EDT

More than 2 billion years ago, a much fainter sun should have left the Earth as an orbiting ice ball. Why we avoided the deep freeze is a question that has puzzled scientists, but one astronomer might have an answer.

Meteorite discovery spurs hunt for more pieces

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:10:10 EDT

Meteorite fragments were recently scattered around Sutter's Mill in California, the same region where the first nugget of gold was found that sparked the Gold Rush in 1848. Scientists believe the meteorites may hold answers to unsolved mysteries about our solar system and the origins of molecules necessary for life. When the Gold Rush began, people headed to California seeking their fortune. Now, with this meteorite hunt, people once again have flocked to this area to search for scientific treasures.

Tiny 'spherules' reveal details about Earth's asteroid impacts

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:03:03 EDT

Researchers are learning details about asteroid impacts going back to the Earth's early history by using a new method for extracting precise information from tiny "spherules" embedded in layers of rock.

Splatters of molten rock signal period of intense asteroid impacts on Earth

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:03:03 EDT

New research reveals that the Archean era -- a formative time for early life from 3.8 billion years ago to 2.5 billion years ago -- experienced far more major asteroid impacts than had been previously thought, with a few impacts perhaps even rivaling those that produced the largest craters on the Moon.

Fireball over California/Nevada: How big was it?

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:44:44 EDT

A bright ball of light traveling east to west was seen over the skies of central/northern California Sunday morning, April 22. The former space rock-turned-flaming-meteor entered Earth's atmosphere around 8 a.m. PDT. Reports of the fireball have come in from as far north as Sacramento, Calif. and as far east as North Las Vegas, Nev.

Titanium paternity test fingers Earth as moon's sole parent

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:47:47 EDT

A new chemical analysis of lunar material collected by Apollo astronauts in the 1970s conflicts with the widely held theory that a giant collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object gave birth to the moon 4.5 billion years ago.

New evidence that comets deposited building blocks of life on primordial Earth

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:56:56 EDT

New research provides further support for the idea that comets bombarding Earth billions of years ago carried and deposited the key ingredients for life to spring up on the planet.

Engineers set their sights on asteroid deflection

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:42:42 EDT

Engineers are developing an innovative technique based on lasers that could radically change asteroid deflection technology.

Meteorites reveal another way to make life's components

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:48:48 EST

Creating some of life's building blocks in space may be a bit like making a sandwich -- you can make them cold or hot, according to new NASA research. This evidence that there is more than one way to make crucial components of life increases the likelihood that life emerged elsewhere in the Universe, according to the research team, and gives support to the theory that a "kit" of ready-made parts created in space and delivered to Earth by impacts from meteorites and comets assisted the origin of life.