Animation of a comet impact on Earth. The impactor is preceded by other comets, which pass harmlessly by. Several comets could be directed towards the inner solar system by a large body passing by the outer solar system, especially the Oort Cloud, where comet nuclei are thought to reside. Some have theorised that the Sun may have a dim companion star (dubbed Nemesis) that regularly perturbs the Oort Cloud, raining comets inwards and causing periodic mass extinctions. No evidence has been found for the presence of such a body, however. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Tucciarone, Joe |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 40 Sekunden |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
Restrictions: | - |