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☆ How a giant, ancient meteorite impact helped fledgling life on Earth
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Spherules can be seen in this sample taken from another meteorite impact. Then all of a sudden, you have a giant tsunami, sweeping by and ripping up the seafloor.”This graphic shows the sequence of events following the S2 giant meteorite impact. When oceans boil and evaporate, they form salts such as those observed in the rocks directly after the impact, Drabon said. The researchers studied layers in this rock and determined that a global tsunami was initiated by the S2 meteorite impact 3.26 billion years ago. “Life during the time of the S2 impact was much simpler,” she said.

Persons: Everests, Nadja Drabon, Drabon, David Madrigal Trejo, Öykü, ” Drabon, “, James Zaccaria, impactor, ” Ben Weiss, Robert R, Shrock, Weiss, ” Weiss, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Harvard University, National Academy of Sciences, Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Locations: Yucatan, what’s, Mexico, South Africa, Cape Cod

☆ When a massive asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, ants began farming fungi
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Kate Golembiewski | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Researchers have now used DNA analysis to uncover just how long ants have been farming fungi, now described in a study published Thursday in the journal Science. To trace the evolution of this relationship between ants and fungi, Schultz and his colleagues built complex family trees. Using the DNA from 475 species of fungi, including 288 species known to be cultivated by ants, the researchers pieced together how all these organisms are related. The study team did the same thing for 276 species of ants, including 208 species of fungus farmers. Ants began farming fungi 66 million years ago after an asteroid hit Earth, according to a new study.

Persons: ”, Ted R, Schultz, Ant, Atta, Karolyn Darrow, what’s, There’s, ” Schultz, Corrie Moreau, “, Moreau, We’re, they’ve, Kate Golembiewski Organizations: CNN, Disney, Smithsonian National Museum of, Cornell University Locations: Washington ,, Chicxulub, Mexico, New York, what’s, Chicago

☆ Ancient asteroid 20 times larger than the one that wiped out the dinosaurs likely hit Jupiter’s moon Ganymede
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Jupiter’s moon Ganymede may have shifted on its axis when a massive asteroid smashed into it about 4 billion years ago, according to a new study. Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system, is even bigger than Mercury and the dwarf planet Pluto. The crater left behind on Ganymede was 25% the size of the Jupiter moon, according to the study. Understanding how the impact altered the moon could reveal insights into its intriguing internal structure, Hirata said. “I want to understand the origin and evolution of Ganymede and other Jupiter moons,” he said.

Persons: ”, Naoyuki Hirata, Hirata, what’s, mission’s, It’s, Adeene Denton, Denton, “, we’re Organizations: CNN, Mercury, Kobe University, Pluto, Laboratory, University of Arizona, Sputnik Locations: Japan, Chicxulub, Mexico

☆ NASA explains how it would alert the public of an apocalyptic asteroid strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In the event of an impending hazardous asteroid strike, NASA already has its plan in place to alert the public. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office is tasked with finding, tracking, and assessing the risk associated with potentially hazardous asteroids in our solar system. To do that, NASA works with a global coalition of astronomers called the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN). There are about 2,300 known potentially hazardous asteroids out there, and roughly 153 of them are larger than 0.6 miles across. If Bennu does head toward Earth, NASA has a few tricks up its sleeve to defend our planet.

Persons: —, ROGER HARRIS, ”, Lindley Johnson, ” Johnson, IAWN, Johnson, MARK GARLICK, NASA wouldn’t, they’re Organizations: NASA, Service, Defense, Office, Planetary Defense, Warning, White, United Nations Office, Outer Space Affairs, Minor Planet

☆ Asteroid that doomed the dinosaurs halted key process for life on Earth, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

This dust blocked the sun to an extent that plants were unable to photosynthesize, a biological process critical for life, for almost two years afterward. Pim KaskesAn unexpected killing mechanismTo reach their findings, scientists developed a new computer model to simulate the global climate after the asteroid strike. Fossilized fish found at the site have revealed that the asteroid struck off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in springtime. The team determined that this fine dust could have remained in the atmosphere for up to 15 years after the asteroid strike. The researchers suggested the global climate may have cooled by as much as 15 degrees Celsius.

Persons: ”, Cem Berk Senel, Pim Kaskes, ” Senel, Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Chiarenza Organizations: CNN, Royal Observatory of, …, University of Vigo Locations: Mexico, Royal Observatory of Belgium, “, North Dakota, Spain

☆ Dinosaur-killing asteroid impact fouled Earth's atmosphere with dust
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The total amount of dust, they calculated, was about 2,000 gigatonnes - exceeding 11 times the weight of Mt. While prior research highlighted two other factors - sulfur released after the impact and soot from the wildfires - this study indicated dust played a larger role than previously known. "It was cold and dark for years," Vrije Universiteit Brussel planetary scientist and study co-author Philippe Claeys said. "While the sulfur stayed about eight to nine years, soot and silicate dust resided in the atmosphere for about 15 years after the impact. "Without the impact, my guess is that mammals - including us - had little chance to become the dominant organisms on this planet."

Persons: grâce, Cem Berk Senel, Philippe Claeys, Özgür Karatekin, Karatekin, Claeys, Will Dunham, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Royal Observatory of, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Nature, Dinos, Thomson Locations: North Dakota, WASHINGTON, Yucatan, Everest, Dakota, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Vrije, Belgium

☆ NASA to unveil first newly returned near-Earth asteroid sample
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The material collected by the OSRIS-REx spacecraft three years ago from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu was to be unveiled at NASA's Johnston Space Center in Houston, a little more than two weeks after it was parachuted into the Utah desert. The landing of the return capsule capped a six-year joint mission of the U.S. space agency and the University of Arizona. It was only the third asteroid sample, and by far the biggest, ever returned to Earth for analysis, following two similar missions by Japan's space agency ending in 2010 and 2020. At the time it landed, the Bennu sample was estimated to weigh about 100 to 250 grams (3.5 to 8.8 ounces). Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Will DunhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Keegan, REx, NASA's, Johnson, Samples, Steve Gorman, Will Dunham Organizations: NASA, Department of Defense's Utah, Space Center, University of Arizona, Utah Test, Empire, Thomson Locations: Dugway , Utah, U.S, Houston, Utah, Ryugu, Los Angeles

☆ NASA's first asteroid sample parachutes into Utah desert
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sept 24 (Reuters) - A NASA space capsule carrying the largest soil sample ever scooped up from the surface of an asteroid streaked through Earth's atmosphere on Sunday and parachuted into the Utah desert, delivering the celestial specimen to scientists. It marked only the third asteroid sample, and by far the biggest, ever returned to Earth for analysis, following two similar missions by Japan's space agency ending in 2010 and 2020. OSIRIS-REx collected its specimen three years ago from Bennu, a small, carbon-rich asteroid discovered in 1999. Parachutes deployed near the very end of the descent, slowing the capsule to about 11 mph before it fell gently onto the desert floor of northwestern Utah. The Bennu sample has been estimated at 250 grams (8.8 ounces), far surpassing the 5 grams carried back from Ryugu in 2020 or the tiny specimen delivered from asteroid Itokawa in 2010.

Persons: REx, NASA's, Steve Gorman, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: NASA, University of Arizona, Empire, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Thomson Locations: Utah, Salt Lake City, military's, Bennu, Ryugu, Houston, Los Angeles

☆ Capsule with NASA's first asteroid sample heads for Utah touchdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The robotic spacecraft OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to release the gumdrop-shaped capsule, transporting about a cup of gravelly asteroid material, at 6:42 a.m. EDT (1042 GMT) for a final descent to Earth, climaxing a seven-year voyage. The spacecraft departed Bennu in May 2021 for a 1.2-billion-mile (1.9-billion-km) cruise back to Earth, including two orbits around the sun. The Bennu sample is estimated at 250 grams (8.8 ounces), far surpassing the 5 grams of material carried back from Ryugu in 2020 or the tiny specimen delivered from asteroid Itokawa in 2010. Scientists hope the integrity of the capsule and inner cannister bearing the asteroid material will be maintained through re-entry and landing, keeping the sample pristine and free of any terrestrial contamination. The main portion of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, meanwhile, is expected to sail on to explore yet another near-Earth asteroid, named Apophis.

Persons: Joel Kowsky, REx, climaxing, NASA's, Steve Gorman, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: United Launch Alliance, V, Cape Canaveral Air Force, NASA, Handout, Reuters, University of Arizona, Empire, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Thomson Locations: Florida, U.S, Utah, Salt Lake City, military's, Ryugu, Houston, Los Angeles

☆ NASA's first asteroid sample on track for Sunday parachute landing in Utah
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreLOS ANGELES, Sept 23 (Reuters) - A NASA space capsule carrying a sample of rocky material plucked from the surface of an asteroid three years ago hurtled toward Earth this weekend headed for a fiery plunge through the atmosphere and a parachute landing in the Utah desert on Sunday. OSIRIS-REx collected its specimen from Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid discovered in 1999 and classified as a "near-Earth object" because it passes relatively close to our planet every six years. The Bennu sample is estimated at 250 grams (8.8 ounces), far surpassing the amount of material carried back from asteroid Ryugu in 2020 and asteroid Itokawa in 2010. The main portion of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, meanwhile, is expected to sail on to explore yet another near-Earth asteroid. Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, Editing by Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: REx, Sandra Freund, Lockheed Martin, Dante Lauretta, NASA's, Steve Gorman, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: United Launch Alliance, V, Cape Canaveral Air Force, NASA, Lockheed, University of Arizona, Empire, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Thomson Locations: Florida, U.S, ANGELES, Utah, military's, Salt Lake City, Tucson, Houston, Los Angeles

☆ A mystery 300-mile wide formation lurking beneath Australia may be the largest asteroid impact crater on Earth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Scientists have uncovered traces of what they think could be the world's largest asteroid impact. The impact might have occurred 450 million years ago, wiping out 85 percent of Earth's species, one said. The structure, the scientists say, could be the remnants of an enormous asteroid impact that hit the Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. If confirmed, it would be the largest asteroid impact on record. The memory of the impact is hidden in the groundOne would think finding the world's largest asteroid impact should be fairly easy.

Persons: Andrew Glickson, Glickson, Tony Yeates Organizations: Service, Australian Geological Survey Organization, telltale Locations: Australia, Wall, Silicon, Deniliquin, New South Wales, South Africa, Pangea, South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, India, Antarctica

☆ Why the George Santos fiasco points to Democrats’ political malpractice
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Arick Wierson | Arick Wierson Is A Six-Time Emmy Award-Winning Television Producer | A Former Senior Aide To Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He Advises Political | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

And in the case of Santos, it appears that Democrats failed to look into not one but an entire range of allegedly dubious claims made by the congressman-elect. Even more astonishing — and indeed puzzling for Democrats — is the fact that this wasn’t Santos’ first rodeo. Moreover, what does all this say about Democrats’ overall political operation not only in New York state but nationwide? It appears that Democrats, at least in this case, have been asleep at the wheel for some time. This Santos case should force some real self-examination on the part of Democrat’s political operations.

☆ Viking 1 may have landed at site of ancient Martian megatsunami
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The mystery of the Viking landing site has long puzzled scientists, who believe an ocean once existed there. Now, new research suggests that the lander touched down where a Martian megatsunami deposited materials 3.4 billion years ago, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. The interest in the potential for life on the red planet prompted scientists to select its northern equatorial region, Chryse Planitia, as the first Martian landing site for Viking I. “The landing site selection needed to fulfill a critical requirement — the presence of extensive evidence of former surface water. Next, the team wants to investigate Pohl crater as a potential landing site for a future rover, since the location might contain evidence of ancient life.

A DART view of the Dimorphos asteroid right before impact. NASA via YouTubeThe DART spacecraft, which is about the size of a vending machine, crashed into Dimorphos at 7:14 p.m. "Oh my goodness," said Elena Adams, a DART mission systems engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The DART mission is functioning as a proof of concept of asteroid deflection as a planetary defense strategy. Betts said he hopes the DART mission will continue to raise awareness about the importance of planetary defense.

☆ NASA's asteroid-deflecting DART spacecraft nears planned impact with its target
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft prior to impact at the Didymos binary asteroid system showed in this undated illustration handout. NASA/Johns Hopkins/Handout via REUTERSSept 26 (Reuters) - Ten months after launch, NASA's asteroid-deflecting DART spacecraft neared a planned impact with its target on Monday in a test of the world's first planetary defense system, designed to prevent a doomsday collision with Earth. Neither object presents any actual threat to Earth, and NASA scientists said their DART test cannot create a new existential hazard by mistake. Also, their relative proximity to Earth and dual-asteroid configuration make them ideal for the first proof-of-concept mission of DART, short for Double Asteroid Redirection Test. ROBOTIC SUICIDE MISSIONThe mission represents a rare instance in which a NASA spacecraft must ultimately crash to succeed.

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