A lost planetary embryo, potentially as large as the moon or Mars, shattered 4.5 billion years ago after colliding with another celestial body. Scientists confirmed the existence of this protoplanet by analyzing the Northwest Africa (NWA) 12774 angrite meteorite, which contains high-pressure mineral signatures inconsistent with small asteroids. According to research published in Earth and … Read more
An 800-million-year-old asteroid shower, triggered by the destruction of the Eulalia parent body, likely bombarded the Moon and Earth, according to research accepted for publication in The Planetary Science Journal. Scientists William F. Bottke, David Vokrouhlický, Melissa Dykhuis, and Nicolle Zellner suggest this event links asteroid belt dynamics to significant biological and geological shifts on … Read more
For decades, astronomers have puzzled over how Mercury—a scorched world orbiting mere millions of miles from the Sun—manages to harbor water ice in its polar regions. A groundbreaking new study published via arXiv provides a compelling answer: the planet is essentially a cosmic trap, expertly hoarding water delivered by cometary impacts. The Comet Connection: How … Read more