00:00We all know that an asteroid that collided with Earth around 66 million years ago ultimately
00:08led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
00:11What we didn't know is where that asteroid came from, that is, until now.
00:15Previously, researchers believed it may have been a comet.
00:18However, this new research proves it was in fact an asteroid hailing from the far reaches
00:22of the solar system.
00:24The asteroid was around 6 miles across and slammed into what is now the Yucatan Peninsula.
00:29That impact caused what is now the Chicxulub Crater, a massive displacement of Earth some
00:33120 miles across.
00:35Researchers figured out where the asteroid hailed from by taking samples of sedimentary
00:39rock which lined up with when the asteroid struck.
00:41In those layers, they found high concentrations of platinum group elements.
00:45Those are extremely rare on our planet.
00:48Researchers then cross-analyzed the elements found there with other meteorites, ones that
00:51we knew where they came from.
00:53This not only confirmed that the material was extraterrestrial in origin, but also that
00:57the dinosaur-killing asteroid hailed from beyond Jupiter.
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