New Clues Reveal Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid's Origin Behind Jupiter

 

Scientists have long been fascinated by the cataclysmic event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, and now, a new study has shed light on the mysterious origin of the asteroid that wiped them out. According to researchers, the asteroid responsible for creating the Chicxulub crater on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula likely originated from the outer regions of our solar system, specifically from an orbit beyond Jupiter.

The research, published in *LiveScience*, reveals that the key to understanding the asteroid's origin lies in the discovery of ruthenium isotopes within the Chicxulub crater. Ruthenium, a rare element, is predominantly found in asteroids located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This discovery provides critical evidence that the asteroid hailed from a region known for harboring carbonaceous chondrites—C-type meteorites rich in carbon and water.

By analyzing ruthenium isotopes from not only the Chicxulub impact site but also from five other ancient layers of Earth's crust, scientists could trace the origins of these catastrophic impacts. Interestingly, while the Chicxulub crater's composition aligns with carbonaceous chondrites from the outer solar system, five other layers studied were associated with silicon-rich S-type asteroids from the inner solar system.

This finding challenges previous theories that the asteroid might have been a fragment of a long-period comet that disintegrated as it neared the Sun. Instead, the new research underscores the role of outer solar system bodies in Earth's geological history, suggesting that some of the most significant impacts may have come from this distant region.

Further analysis revealed that rocks within the Chicxulub crater reached extreme temperatures of around 330°C (686°F) immediately following the impact, during the late Cretaceous period. These findings suggest that the impact was not only devastating but also incredibly hot, though it may not have released as much carbon dioxide as scientists previously believed.

The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of asteroid impacts and their consequences on Earth's environment, deepening our understanding of the events that led to one of the most significant mass extinctions in Earth's history. As scientists continue to explore the origins and impacts of asteroids, each discovery brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of our planet's past and the forces that shaped its present.