A left-handed Solar System?

Article Abstract:

Research on the Murchison meteorite by M.H. Engel and S.A. Macko suggests that the Solar System was formed with a bias for left-handed amino acids. Engel and Macko examined individual amino-acid enantiomers in the meteorite and confirmed their earlier findings that there is an excess of L-alanine over D-alanine. Two other pieces of research on the Murchison meteorite confirm the enantiomeric excesses which could indicate a link between extraterrestrial organic molecules and the origins of life on earth.

Author: Chyba, Christopher F.
Solar system, Life, Origin, Origin of life, Amino acids, Meteorites

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Origin of the Tunguska event

Article Abstract:

The dismissal of a carbonaceous chondrite meteor as the cause of the Tunguska crater is based on an unrealistic drag coefficient and heating load. A recalculation of the heating load and drag coefficient reveals that a carbonaceous chondrite meteor of sufficient size could have released its energy low enough to cause the crater and since that type is the most common meteor to enter Earth's atmosphere, it is logically the most likely cause of the crater.

Author: Lyne, J.E., Tauber, Michael
Causes of, Craters, Tunguska meteorite

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Subjects list: Research
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