A Meteorite Killed My Cow

We live in very uncertain times! So, isn’t it reassuring to finally have an honest and authoritative guide to all those pressing questions, such as: What are the chances I will be killed by a falling space rock? What really happened to the dinosaurs? Why are we here? Where did Earth’s water come from? Do…

An Irish meteorite mystery solved – almost!

Recently, while visiting my family near Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, we decided to do a bit of sightseeing in the local area. And where better to go than the Rock of Cashel, former home of the Kings of Munster. It’s a spectacular ruin with wonderful views across the surrounding countryside. Now, it has to be…

Cleaning up the Aliens

When I was working at the Natural History Museum, a while ago now it has to be said, one of my jobs involved the study of micrometeorites. These are tiny particles that almost certainly form the largest fraction of extraterrestrial material swept up by Earth each year. Estimates of just how much they represent vary…

It’s Landed!

Fantastic news. Just watched live the feed from NASA TV as the OSIRIS-REx sample capsule descended safely through the atmosphere and landed safely in the Utah desert. A brilliant mission has delivered its very precious samples from Asteroid Bennu. Congratulations to all the team members involved.