cosmic dust tagged posts

When Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago, any phosphorus that was present likely sank into the molten core because of the element’s distinct chemical properties. However, phosphorus is essential for life; it is found in DNA, RNA, and other important biological molecules. So it is probable that the phosphorus that made life possible was delivered to Earth’s surface from extraterrestrial origins, and previous studies have suggested meteorites as potential sources.

Now, P...

Milky Way (stock image). A team of researchers has developed a new experimental Meteoric Ablation Simulator (MASI) that can help answer questions about cosmic dust and how it impacts Earth and everything on it. Credit: © sripfoto / Fotolia

University of Leeds team has developed a new experimental Meteoric Ablation Simulator (MASI) that can help answer questions about cosmic dust and how it impacts Earth and everything on it. The study of the evaporation of cosmic dust particles in the upper atmosphere has, until now, relied heavily on theoretical calculations. Evidence provided by field radar and optical observations of meteoroids is contradictory in relation to the height where each of the metals in the particles will ablate as they fall through the atmosphere...