The Asteroids Origins

The Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid: Origins and Impact

The Asteroid's Origins

New evidence suggests that the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs originated from the outer solar system, beyond the orbit of Jupiter. This differs from previous theories which proposed an inner solar system origin.

Evidence for the Outer Solar System Origin

• Analysis of impact craters: Craters on the Moon and Mars have been linked to the dinosaur-killing asteroid, and their composition matches that of carbonaceous asteroids.
• Meteorite evidence: Micrometeorites found on Earth have similar compositions to carbonaceous asteroids.

The Impact Event

Around 66 million years ago, the asteroid, estimated to be about 6 miles wide, slammed into the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

Impact Effects

• Massive explosion: The impact released the energy of approximately 20 trillion tons of TNT, creating a crater over 100 miles wide.
• Global firestorms: The impact triggered wildfires that consumed large areas of Earth's surface.
• Tsunamis: The impact generated massive tsunamis that reached heights of up to 1,000 feet.

Mass Extinction

The impact and its consequences led to the extinction of approximately 76% of all plant and animal species on Earth, including the non-avian dinosaurs.

Implications for Dinosaur Extinction

The discovery of the asteroid's outer solar system origin provides new insights into the mechanisms behind the dinosaur extinction:

• Rare Impact: Carbonaceous asteroids from the outer solar system are relatively rare, making the dinosaur extinction event a particularly devastating one.
• Global Catastrophe: The impact's effects were global, causing widespread environmental disruption that led to the extinction of numerous species.

Conclusion

The discovery of the dinosaur-killing asteroid's outer solar system origin has deepened our understanding of the mass extinction event that occurred 66 million years ago. This research highlights the role of rare, large-scale impacts in shaping Earth's history and emphasizes the importance of continued scientific investigation to unravel the mysteries of our planet.