Meteorite could offer up clues to the origin of life
LARGE GROUP IN THREE VEHICLES STEAL FROM PICK YOUR OWN SITE
THE mystery of how life began on Earth could soon become clearer thanks to a chance find.
Derek Robson, of Loughborough, came across a 4.6-billionyear-old meteorite in the imprint of a horseshoe in a Gloucestershire field in March.
Researchers believe it could provide insight into the origins of the solar system.
Researchers at Loughborough University are examining the shape and chemical structure of the small space rock, which travelled from a distance of at least 110 million miles from its home between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt.
The ancient rock is a rare example of a carbonaceous chondrite, a type of meteorite which often contains organic material.
Fewer than 5 per cent of meteorites which fall to Earth are of this type.
Identifying organic compounds within it would support the idea that early meteorites carried amino acids, the building blocks of life, and may have supplied the Earth’s primordial soup, where life began.
Professor
Sandie Dann, of the chemistry department in the School of
Science at Loughborough, said: “At this stage, we have learned a good deal about it, but we’ve barely scratched the surface.
“There is huge potential to learn about ourselves and our solar system – it’s an amazing project to be part of.”
Jason Williams is managing director of the East Anglian Astrophysical Research Organisation (EAARO), of which Derek is also a member.
He said: “One of EAARO’s primary objectives is to open the doors of science and technology to those who may not get the opportunity. “Derek and I felt our new find could help us further these objectives by opening up research opportunities in meteoritical science. “We chose Loughborough, along with the University of Sheffield, a number of commercial partners and a handful of overseas specialists to work with us on this project as we continue to excite and inspire people by promoting and encourage space research and sciences, technology, engineering and maths subjects.”
SCIENTISTS GET TO WORK ON 46BN-YEAR-OLD SPACE ROCK
There is huge potential to learn about ourselves and our solar system
Prof Sandie Dann
A FARM is vowing to make changes to its pick your own operation after thieves were spotted loading up cars multiple times with fruit and leaving without paying.
Cattows Farm, in Heather, said its CCTV system captured a large group of people who had left the field without paying and loaded up an Audi, Mercedes C-Class and a Peugeot with fruit before driving away from the site.
The farm said it was “sad and disappointed” people have stolen from the site and the incident has meant changes will need to be made to make sure it does not happen again.
The Ludlam family have been farming in the village since 1899, and since the 1980s have offered visitors the chance to pick fruit.
It offers a similar experience at Hallowe’en, where customers can pick their own pumpkin, but this has also proved problematic.
In statement issued to visitors on its Facebook page, a farm representative said: “It’s with great sadness and disappointment that we have to write this post.
“We opened the farm for pick your own soft fruit in the early 80s and we’ve loved every minute of welcoming you to spend time in our beautiful surroundings.
“While things have changed over the years, we’ve tried to maintain our original ethos and give you the same pure experience as we did over 35 years ago.
“However, experiences like yesterday (Sunday) make us constantly review how we operate pick your own.
“Other farms now charge an entry fee and even sell the empty punnets first as if you’d already filled them, then letting you go to the field to pick.
“Yesterday, a customer and our CCTV witnessed a large group of people going back to their cars in stages having obviously returned from the field without paying.
“They promptly loaded their 21 plate Audi, black Mercedes C-Class coupe and Peugeot and left without paying.
“Having been aware of theft during pumpkin picking last year, we will now review how we operate and changes will have to be implemented.
“We’d like to thank the vast majority of you who are honest and respectful.
“And to the customers who broke the law yesterday – it’s really not cool, or classy, or how it works. The police have been informed.”