[meteorite-list] Cyclic mass extinction? Sure, why not?

From: EL Jones <jonee_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:00:10 2004
Message-ID: <3D40E3FC.BAC4B58C_at_epix.net>

A fallacy I see in the Nemesis theory, as analyzed thus far, is the assumption
that every orbit produces an extinction event or even an impact on Earth. For
sake of discussion, if the orbit were on the order of 10 to 8 ± million years
and an allowance of 1-2± m.y.. for orbit shift of dislodged/perturbed
asteroids* to intersect other bodies such (as planets and moons--not just
earth)--, there may be a regular period associated with recurring extinctions
and regular impacts in our past--and future. Looking to just terrestrial
astroblemes assumes that Earth would catch all perturbed asteroids, and this is
very unlikely.

Without researching the ages of the 120± known astroblemes on earth and those of
our Moon , Mars etc., -- for which ages have been estimated, intuition tells me
many, of them could be fitted to a line with a shorter period than the 26 m.y.
Nemesis orbit theory. I suggest there is likely a fit for a much smaller,
shorter period culprit which makes a 26 m.y./ 90,000 a.u. orbit of a Solar
companion unnecessary to explain cyclic extinctions. I believe a statistical
model could be developed which would account for one or more recurring,
fixed-period orbit(s) of a captured but extremely elliptical supersized,
high-mass , planet(s).

There is evidence that this is not impossible nor unlikely. We have strong
evidence suggesting that wandering, planet-like objects, have come from outside
our solar system and have hit at least two of our planets. We believe that
Earth's encounter with a Mars-sized planet liberated our Moon some 4 or so
billion years ago. Somewhere in its past, Neptune was knocked off axis 90° and
rotates opposite the other planets. More indications are: 1) There isn't an
empty orbit node in the inner 8 planets-- save for the "asteroid belt", so far
as I recall. This suggests that the attacking culprits did not originate in our
solar system. 2) Given the relative emptiness of our solar system, there is a
very low probability of a single pass (non recurring) lone wanderer striking
any planet. Hitting two planets would suggest that the passage of these extra
solar objects is far more frequent than anyone has theorized. 3) Mercury and
Pluto have been theorized to have been captured bodies, although Pluto's orbit
is more convincing. 4) Courtesy of Hubble, we now know that there are wandering,
supersized, giant planets outside conventional solar system orbits. So why not
in our neighborhood? Are there one or more giant planets, left over from the
supernova which preceded our solar system's formation, which drop by the old
neighborhood looking for Mommy?

 * I say asteroids and not comets because metal deposits found at most craters
indicate asteroids are involved far more than comets have been. I don't think
the Ort Cloud has to be a significant player in mass extinctions.

Regards,
Elton
Received on Fri 26 Jul 2002 01:55:02 AM PDT