Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994mnras.270..420w&link_type=abstract
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 270, NO. 2/SEP15, P. 420, 1994
Mathematics
Logic
3
Scientific paper
The correlation of the extended period of biological mass extinctions around the KIT boundary with extraterrestrial amino acids in the sediment record constitutes strong evidence of a cometary cause. While the fact that the dinosaurs' extinction coincided with the Chixculub cratering event and iridium-rich sediments suggests a chance asteroidal or cometary impact, the enhanced input of extraterrestrial matter over 1 0 yr supports the hypothesis of a Jupiter-associated giant comet, fragmented into a multitude of pieces, as demonstrated by comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, and perturbed into Earth-crossing orbits. Copious amounts of dust were released also, enhancing the dust abundance in the Solar system by several orders of magnitude. By studying the radiative properties of the submicron dust fraction of organic composition, we find that it is retained in the inner Solar system and is available for planetary accretion, uniike the IR-containing metallic and mineral dust. The shroud of dust accreted in the Earth's upper atmosphere can be sufficient to impose climatic stresses and cause extinctions of species over a protracted period of 10 yr. Dynamical arguments imply that the impacting comet most probably came directly from Jupiter's family. Details of the iridium record are compatible with re-accretion of some of the material ejected into space from the Chixculub impact. Key words: gravitation - comets: general - Earth - interplanetary medium - planets and satellites: individual: Jupiter - Solar system: general.
Wallis Max K.
Wickramasinghe Chandra N.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Cometary Hypothesis of the K/t Mass Extinctions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Cometary Hypothesis of the K/t Mass Extinctions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Cometary Hypothesis of the K/t Mass Extinctions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1791747