Giant impacts have a wide range of consequences for young planets and their atmospheres, according to research led by our scientists.
Giant impacts have a wide range of consequences for young planets and their atmospheres, according to research led by our scientists.
These huge collisions dominate the late stages of planet formation.
Using 3D supercomputer simulations the researchers have found a way of revealing how much atmosphere is lost during these events.
Earth-like planets
Their simulations show how Earth-like planets with thin atmospheres might have evolved in an early solar system depending on how they were impacted by other objects.
Read more at Durham University
Image: Still image cross-section showing the impact (inset) and aftermath (main picture) of a 3D simulation of a giant planetary impact using 100 million particles, coloured by their internal energy, similar to their temperature. (Credit: Dr Jacob Kegerreis, Durham University)
