‘50,000-years-ago’: Historic meteorite that fell on Earth contained iron and nickel Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar Satellite Discovery Europe’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission recently captured an image showcasing the Barringer Meteorite Crater in Arizona, formed approximately 50,000 years ago. Impact Details The crater, over 1,200 meters wide and 180 meters deep, was created by a 30-50-meter-wide iron-nickel meteorite impacting North America. The collision ejected massive amounts of limestone and sandstone debris. Photo: ESA Distinctive Geological Features Notably, the crater’s squared-off shape is attributed to rock flaws that caused the impact site to peel back in four directions, a unique characteristic studied by scientists. Preservation in Arid Climate The arid desert climate of Arizona has preserved the Barringer Crater exceptionally well, providing researchers with an invaluable site to study impact cratering processes. Sentinel-2 Image Insights The Sentinel-2 image offers a comprehensive view of the crater amidst its surrounding landscape, aiding ongoing scientific studies into geological processes on Earth and other planetary bodies. ESA’s Role in Asteroid Research For over two decades, the European Space Agency (ESA) has tracked and analysed near-Earth objects, enhancing global efforts to understand and mitigate potential asteroid threats. Future Detection Technologies ESA’s upcoming Flyeye telescopes, designed with a compound eye structure, aim to improve the detection of hazardous asteroids, bolstering planetary defence capabilities. Hera Mission and Deflection Strategies Scheduled for launch later this year, ESA’s Hera spacecraft will conduct close-up explorations of asteroids to deepen our understanding and support future strategies for asteroid deflection. Related Stories