German Scientists: Asteroid that Wiped Out Dinosaurs Came from Outer Solar System

• Researchers find evidence of ruthenium, a rare element common in asteroids from beyond Jupiter's orbit, strengthening the theory that the Chicxulub impactor originated in the outer solar system.
• The asteroid, which crashed into Mexico 66 million years ago, is widely believed to have caused a mass extinction, ending the reign of non-avian dinosaurs.
• The findings provide valuable insights into the debated causes of the extinction, including the roles of the asteroid impact and volcanic eruptions.
• By studying sediments containing dust particles from the impact, the team concluded that the asteroid's origins were from the outer reaches of our solar system.

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German scientists have strengthened the case for understanding the origins of the asteroid that all but wiped out the dinosaurs. The team, led by Mario Fischer-Gödde from the University of Cologne, provides evidence to support the theory that the Chicxulub impactor, a six-mile-wide asteroid, came from beyond Jupiter's orbit.

"We found that the impact of an asteroid like the one at Chicxulub is a very rare and unique event in geological time...The fate of the dinosaurs and many other species was sealed by this projectile from the outer reaches of the solar system.”
- Carsten Münker, University of Cologne

By identifying isotopes of ruthenium in the geological remnants of the impact, the researchers provide compelling evidence. Ruthenium, abundant in asteroids but rare in Earth's crust, is a tell-tale sign of an extraterrestrial origin.

The study, published in Science, contributes to our understanding of the mass extinction event, including the roles of the asteroid impact and volcanic activity. While the debate continues, this research brings us a step closer to comprehending the factors that shaped life on Earth as we know it.