Why scientists are learning about the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs
If scientists know about the origin of dangerous space rocks from Earth’s past, they might know where to look for future risks
The 66-million-year-old boundary layer in Denmark contains the fallout produced by the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Photo: AFP / EUREKALERT / Philippe ClaeysAbout 66 million years ago, a massive space rock hit Earth and killed almost all the dinosaurs. A team of researchers is learning more about where the asteroid came from.
Each asteroid is made of different chemicals depending on where it formed in our solar system.
Researchers took samples from places that date back to the time when dinosaurs were killed by the asteroid. They looked at the chemicals in the samples and found that this dino-killing asteroid formed in the outer solar system.
Their findings could help Nasa, the US space agency, identify space rocks that could hurt life on Earth. If scientists know about the origin of asteroids from the past, they might know where to look for future risks.