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New research has revealed that meteoroid trails, left behind by long-period comets, could help scientists detect potentially hazardous comets years before they approach Earth. These rare comets, which take hundreds or even thousands of years to complete their orbits, often go unnoticed until it is too late to prepare for a possible collision. However, scientists have now found a way to track these comets by observing the meteoroid streams they leave in their wake.

Tracking Comet Paths Through Meteoroid Trails

The study has been accepted for publication in The Planetary Science Journal, and is available as a preprint via arXiv. Long-period comets (LPCs) are known for their infrequent visits to the solar system. While comets like Halley’s Comet pass by Earth every 76 years, other comets only make an appearance once every few centuries. Some of these distant comets could pose a significant threat if their orbits bring them close enough to Earth. A comet with a large enough impact could release massive amounts of energy, potentially equivalent to hundreds of thousands of megatons of TNT.

By studying meteor showers, which are caused by the debris from these comets, researchers believe they can track the paths of these hazardous comets. Samantha Hemmelgarn, a graduate student at Northern Arizona University and lead author of the study, explained that meteoroid streams from long-period comets are less affected by planetary gravitational forces. This makes it easier to predict the orbits of the parent comets.

New Method Could Provide Years of Warning Time

The study used existing data from 17 meteor showers with known comet parents. By simulating comet streams and comparing them with known comet paths, researchers were able to predict where to look for these long-period comets. The results suggest that such methods could give scientists years of advanced warning before a comet poses a serious threat to Earth.

While this technique is not foolproof and has limitations, it is a step forward in planetary defence. The upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, is expected to detect these long-period comets well in advance, allowing for better preparedness.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its potential, the method cannot detect comets with orbital periods longer than 4,000 years, as their meteoroid streams would be too sparse to detect. However, this new approach could greatly improve early detection of more imminent threats, offering humanity a better chance to prepare for a possible comet impact.

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5,000-Year-Old Clay Bowls in Iraq Reveal Early Centralised Governance

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December 4, 2024

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5,000-Year-Old Clay Bowls in Iraq Reveal Early Centralised Governance

Archaeologists have unearthed 5,000-year-old clay bowls at the Shakhi Kora site in northeastern Iraq, which could signify one of the earliest forms of government organisation, according to a study published in Antiquity. The site, located southwest of Kalar in the Kurdistan region, dates to the fifth millennium B.C. Researchers have suggested these bowls might have been used to distribute food, such as meat stews, in exchange for labour — a practice potentially tied to centralised authority during the Uruk period in Mesopotamia.

Evidence of Centralised Labour

The research, led by Dr. Claudia Glatz from the University of Glasgow, points to early experiments with hierarchical structures. Dr. Glatz, who has directed excavations at Shakhi Kora since 2019, said in a statement that institutional buildings found at the site featured southern Mesopotamian influences, including pillars and drainage systems. Beveled-rim bowls, commonly associated with the Uruk civilisation, were abundant and likely served meals to workers. Analysis of residues confirmed the presence of meat, indicating animal husbandry was integral to the settlement’s economy.

Abandonment Without Conflict

The site was abandoned by the late fourth millennium B.C. without evidence of violence or environmental catastrophe, according to researchers. It is believed the local population rejected centralised governance, opting to return to subsistence farming. Dr. Glatz noted this provides insight into how early communities resisted hierarchical control.

Perspectives from Other Experts

Although not directly part of the study, Dr. Susan Pollock of the Free University of Berlin, speaking to Live Science, highlighted the unusual lack of urbanisation in the region, suggesting a preference for decentralised living. Meanwhile, Dr. Glenn Schwartz from Johns Hopkins University remarked on the discovery of beveled-rim bowls across Mesopotamia, calling the findings about their contents an exciting revelation.

This study offers a glimpse into the complexities of early societal structures, raising questions about the acceptance and rejection of central authority in ancient times.

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Dark Matter Could Be Linked to a ‘Dark Big Bang’, New Study Suggests



Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PC System Requirements, Global Launch Timings Revealed

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Dark Matter Could Be Linked to a ‘Dark Big Bang’, New Study Suggests

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December 4, 2024

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Dark Matter Could Be Linked to a ‘Dark Big Bang’, New Study Suggests

A new hypothesis suggests that dark matter, one of the universe’s greatest mysteries, may have originated in a separate event known as a “Dark Big Bang.” The idea was initially proposed in 2023 by Katherine Freese, Director of the Texas Center for Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, and Martin Wolfgang Winkler, University of Texas. The theory challenges the traditional understanding that all matter and energy were created simultaneously during the Big Bang. According to reports, researchers from Colgate University have expanded on this theory, proposing new scenarios for such an event and how evidence might be uncovered.

Exploring the Dark Big Bang Theory

In a study published in Physical Review D, researchers Cosmin Ilie, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and Richard Casey, Colgate University scientist, outlined the potential mechanisms of a Dark Big Bang. It has been suggested that this event may have occurred up to one year after the Big Bang, introducing dark matter into the cosmos. Ilie, speaking to Space.com, explained that their work highlights a broader range of possibilities than previously considered, making the theory more plausible.

The concept diverges from the prevailing notion that dark and ordinary matter share a common origin. While this idea adheres to Occam’s Razor — favouring the simplest explanation — Ilie pointed out that the universe does not necessarily align with human preferences for simplicity.

Hunting for Evidence

Detecting evidence of a Dark Big Bang could involve identifying gravitational waves, faint ripples in spacetime first predicted by Albert Einstein. According to Ilie, such waves might be observable through ongoing initiatives like the International Pulsar Timing Array and the Square Kilometre Array.

Casey stated to Space.com that the Dark Big Bang theory could also reveal a unique “Dark Sector” with its own particles and interactions, distinct from known physics. This approach might redefine how dark matter and ordinary matter relate, potentially bridging gaps in current scientific understanding.
The researchers emphasised that this work establishes a foundation for future exploration, aiming to confirm or constrain the Dark Big Bang’s role in the creation of dark matter.

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Asteroid Detected Hours Before Earth Impact, Creates Fireball Over Siberia

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December 4, 2024

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Asteroid Detected Hours Before Earth Impact, Creates Fireball Over Siberia

A small asteroid, approximately 27 inches in diameter, was identified on a collision trajectory with Earth on December 4 2024. Discovered by astronomers at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, this asteroid, temporarily labelled C0WEPC5, entered Earth’s atmosphere around 11:15 a.m. ET and created a harmless fireball over northern Siberia. The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the event on its social media platform, noting that the asteroid was expected to disintegrate completely in the atmosphere.

Fourth ‘Imminent Impactor’ of the Year

According to a report by Space.com, C0WEPC5 is the fourth asteroid of 2024 to be classified as an “imminent impactor” — a term used for objects detected only hours before their predicted atmospheric entry. This discovery brings the total number of confirmed imminent impactors to 11. Physicist Richard Moissl stated that a 12th potential impactor remains unverified.

Other instances of such events this year include asteroid 2024 BX1, which burned up over Berlin in January and 2024 RW1, which exploded in a bright fireball above the Philippines in September. In October, asteroid 2024 UQ was detected just two hours before creating a spectacular display over Hawaii.

Global Efforts to Monitor Near-Earth Objects

International space agencies are actively enhancing their efforts to detect near-Earth objects through advanced monitoring systems, as per sources. Programmes such as the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) and the ESA’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre (NEOCC) are pivotal in tracking such threats. NASA is also developing the NEO Surveyor, an infrared telescope designed to identify potentially hazardous objects, reportedly.

The ESA and other organisations have stressed the importance of early detection technologies. In a social media post, ESA officials highlighted the role of global observation networks in mitigating risks and ensuring public awareness of these celestial phenomena. These systems aim to refine predictions, offering greater clarity on similar events in the future.

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