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Study Links Passing Star to Ancient Comet Shower

11/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A new study suggests that a passing star, HD7977, may have triggered a comet shower on Earth about 2.5 million years ago.
The researchers say this star's gravity disturbed the Oort Cloud, causing comets to move toward Earth.
Avi Loeb notes the influx may have contributed to climate changes during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition and its glacial cycles.
The Oort Cloud remains hypothetical and has never been directly observed.

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Story summary

A new study suggests that a passing star, HD7977, may have triggered a comet shower on Earth about 2.5 million years ago.
The researchers say this star's gravity disturbed the Oort Cloud, causing comets to move toward Earth.
Avi Loeb notes the influx may have contributed to climate changes during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition and its glacial cycles.
The Oort Cloud remains hypothetical and has never been directly observed.