Scientists pinpoint where dinosaur-killing meteor came from --[Reported by Umva mag]

Scientists believe they’ve finally found the answer to where the deadly meteor which killed the dinosaurs came from. And yes, it’s from space.

Researchers have discovered the meteor which killed the dinos originated from beyond Jupiter – and contrary to popular belief, it was not a comet.

Sediment samples taken from what is now Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula were analysed by a team of scientists who have now published their findings.

Mario Fischer-Godde, lead author of the study and a geochemist at the University of Cologne, told AFP: ‘Now we can, with all this knowledge… say that this asteroid initially formed beyond Jupiter.’

Researchers measured isotopes of a rare element in the sediment – ruthenium, which is more common on asteroids.

By studying these isotopes, scientists were able to find which ones came from the outer solar system and which formed in the inner solar system – closer to the sun.

The isotopes, taken from sediment from the asteroid, confirmed that the meteor came from beyond Jupiter.

It’s also confirmed that a mega-earthquake, global winter and other events were triggered by the massive collision.

Fischer-Godde added: ‘We cannot be really sure where the asteroid was kind of hiding just before it impacted on Earth.’

He explained that it may have travelled in the asteroid belt, between Mars and Jupiter, before making its way towards Earth.

But one thing is for certain – the idea that the meteor was a comet is not true.

Fischer-Godde hopes that the findings of his study will help further understand how Earth got water.

It could also help humans better prepare for any future asteroid collisions.

‘If we find that earlier mass extinction events could also be related to C-type asteroid impacts, then… if there’s ever going to be C-type asteroid on an Earth-crossing orbit, we have to be very careful, because it might be the last one we witness,’ he said.

The team’s findings go against a previous study, which claimed that volcanic activity alone could have been responsible for major fluctuations in atmospheric composition that led to extinction for dinosaurs.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.