☄️ ‘God of chaos’ asteroid during Earth flyby, a 12 million-year-old terror bird fossil, Iron Age grave stabbed with a knife

In a close encounter that may reshape its very structure, the asteroid Apophis is expected to experience dramatic surface changes when it passes near Earth on April 13, 2029.

According to new research, this brief interaction with our planet’s gravity could unleash tremors and landslides on Apophis, potentially transforming its surface. Dive deeper into this Must-Read.

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☄️ ‘God of chaos’ asteroid predicted to tumble, shed rocks during Earth flyby

Apophis, a 1,100-foot-long (340 meters) asteroid named after the Egyptian god of chaos, was discovered in 2004. The peanut-shaped asteroid quickly garnered attention due to its size and its initially predicted close pass by Earth.

Ronald-Louis Ballouz, an asteroid scientist from Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory, is explained that asteroids like Apophis endure constant “space weathering” from the bombardment of tiny meteoroids, which gradually alters their surfaces.

However, asteroids that pass near planets often exhibit less weathering than those farther out in space, leading to the theory that planetary gravity could be responsible for refreshing the surfaces of such space rocks.

🦅 12 million-year-old terror bird fossil reveals ancient South American predator

12 million years ago, a fearsome predator roamed the ancient landscapes of South America. It was a giant, flightless bird popularly known as a “terror bird.” And now, paleontologists have uncovered a new clue about this terrifying creature.

A team of researchers analyzed a 12-million-year-old fossilized bone discovered in Colombia’s fossiliferous Tatacoa Desert some 20 years ago. Interestingly, this fossilized leg bone likely belongs to one of the largest terror birds ever found. The remains of this extinct giant carnivorous bird offer new insights into ancient South American ecosystems.

“Terror birds lived on the ground, had limbs adapted for running, and mostly ate other animals,” said Siobhán Cooke, associate professor of functional anatomy and evolution at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

🔪 Mysterious Iron Age grave stabbed with an iron knife discovered in Sweden

Archaeologists in Sweden have uncovered what is believed to be 50 graves in an Iron Age burial site, with one grave standing out due to an unusual feature. It had been stabbed with a knife, prompting questions about the significance of this act.

Archaeologists were previously unaware of the existence of this plot of land. Historical documents from 1667 noted that Swedish priests had discovered ancient remains in the area, but no investigation was conducted to confirm this.

As they started digging at this location, Pryssgården, Sweden, they first unearthed a human bone, the fragments of two skulls, costume buckles, and a costume pin. That meant they were on the right track. They could have indeed stumbled upon this legendary old burial ground from the Iron Age.

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