66 million years ago, a catastrophe occurred that changed the course of life on Earth. An asteroid collided with what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, causing the extinction of the planet. About 75% of speciesIncluding dinosaurs.

Although the collision left little physical evidence of the asteroid's existence, a new study published in the journal sciences Provides new evidence about its chemical composition, suggesting that it was Rare Cosmic Mud BallRich in clay and formed in the early days of the solar system.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Stephen Godris From Vrije Universiteit Brussel, reveals that the asteroid responsible for the mass extinction event was a carbonaceous chondrite. This type of asteroid, known to contain water, clay and organic compounds, is rare among meteorites that hit Earth, and represents Only 5% of recorded falls.

conclusion

According to CNN, scientists reached this conclusion by analyzing samples of 66-million-year-old rocks found in various locations in Europe. They identified the presence of the mineral ruthenium, whose chemical signature matches that of Carbonaceous chondrite meteorites.