Inverse - ☄️ Catastrophic Mars meteor impact

Monday

Dec 05 2022

You probably know that the era of the dinosaurs ended with the Chicxulub asteroid strike, which saw a six-mile meteor strike just off the coast of Mexico, sending up a plume of debris 66 million years ago that brought life on Earth to the brink of extinction. But those kind of asteroid strikes aren't unique to Earth — and scientists think they've found a similar impact basin on Mars.

Mars never really had the time to evolve dinosaurs when a massive rock from the sky pummeled it, but it was destructive nonetheless, causing a megatsunami with 200 meter high waves. The surface of Mars still bears the scars, so all it took was a little planetary forensics to find it.

What's New

MAKING WAVES

Science

Catastrophic meteor impact on Mars eerily similar to the asteroid that annihilated most dinosaurs

A massive crater on Mars may be all that’s left of an asteroid that slammed into the planet 3.4 billion years ago, triggering a devastating megatsunami.

The 200-meter-tall waves flooded thousands of square kilometers of Martian lowlands, leaving behind rocky debris and deep scour marks in the ground to mark their passing. Now a team of scientists says they’ve found the crater left by the asteroid impact that triggered this ancient cataclysm — and it’s eerily similar to the Chicxulub crater here on Earth.

The researchers published their results in the journal Scientific Reports.

Take a closer look

Sponsored

Audi

New holiday tradition: plug into a better future

Ah, holiday tech traditions: connecting to grandma’s ethernet port, going on an early-morning replacement phone charger run, and helping dad set up the smart TV (again). This time, ring in the new year with technology that brings a sense of optimism. With over 100 years of experience on the cutting edge, Audi has been manufacturing vehicles for premium mobility since day one. Fully electric motors housed in an elegant design rivals any family heirloom: That’s what makes Audi instantly recognizable.

This year, combine the automotive name you know and trust with the premium features you dream of finding under the tree.

Explore Audi today

Marvel

Movies

Ahead of Quantumania, Marvel really wants to make Scott Lang matter

With Paul Rudd’s charms and a comic tone that evoked films like Ocean’s Eleven, it’s always been easy to dismiss Ant-Man as one of the lesser important Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But with the imminent arrival of the big bad Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors, Marvel Studios is going the distance in making sure fans don’t skip out on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Feburary 2023.

At CCXP in Brazil on Thursday, Marvel Studios premiered a new trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania to the delight of Brazilian fans in attendance.

Watch here

UP IN SMOKE

Mind and Body

Does cannabis smoke cause more lung damage than tobacco smoke? A researcher reveals the truth

Earlier this month, researchers published a study in the journal Radiology that was prime fodder for misleading headlines.

The study sought to investigate the effect of marijuana smoke on the lungs. The researchers say they found more lung damage in the marijuana smokers’ group than in the tobacco smokers’ group. That led to a rash of headlines like this one from the Chicago Sun-Times: Smoking marijuana might be more harmful to your lungs than tobacco, study suggests.

But here’s the catch: That’s not actually what the study found.

Contraceptives

Innovation

Lobsters could hold the key to birth control that doesn't totally suck

When most people think of mucus, they probably picture something unpleasant, like allergies, slimy pond scum, or the nightmarish escape tactic employed by hagfish. But a healthy amount of mucus can be beneficial — and it might even power your next birth control method.

A study published last week in Science outlines a new non-hormonal, topical contraceptive that harnesses the power of mucus to stop sperm in its tracks.

Inverse Interview

Entertainment

Jameela Jamil wants a Star Trek-Marvel crossover movie

As Titania in Marvel’s She-Hulk, Jameela Jamil knows a thing or two about playing a larger-than-life villain. But in Star Trek: Prodigy, Jamil’s latest antagonist turned out to be one of the show’s best-kept secrets.

Jamil caught up with Inverse about playing baddies, her childhood love of Star Trek, and why she’s ready for a Trek-Marvel crossover. Spoilers ahead!

Meanwhile...

You need to see the last Full Moon of the year this week

USDA approves GMO purple tomato with brain-boosting properties

Elon Musk's 'Dune' misquote reveals a deep misunderstanding of Frank Herbert

5 years ago, Netflix gambled on the wildest time-travel show ever — and struck gold

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Inverse - ☄️ Catastrophic Mars meteor impact

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