Abstract
RECENTLY, Cowan, et al.1 discussed the interesting case of the Tunguska meteor—the event and its origin mainly in the context of release of a rather high energy of ∼ 1024 ergs on its impact. Various theories concerning its origin and the nature of the energy source were discussed (for example, asteroidal origin and energy from impact or nuclear reactions). They have shown that none of the theories can satisfactorily explain the amount of energy released during the impact. The authors have invoked the antimatter hypothesis and, as an experimental verification to this, have calculated the expected increase in the carbon-14/carbon-12 ratios in the atmosphere subsequent to the fall of the meteorite. Considering the total energy release, they obtained a value of 7 per cent for the expected increase in activity. Their measurements of the atmospheric carbon-14/carbon-12 ratios, based on annual rings of a 300-yr.-old tree, show a possible increase of 1 per cent in the year 1909, leading them to the conclusion that probably l/7th of the energy release in the Tunguska meteorite impact came from antimatter annihilation.
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Cowan, C., Atluri, C. R., and Libby, W. F., Nature, 206, 861 (1965).
Stuiver, M., J. Geophys. Res., 66, 273 (1961).
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VENKATAVARADAN, V. Antimatter and Tree Rings. Nature 208, 772 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/208772a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/208772a0
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