Retorts

When the Dinosaurs Died

Thank you for this intriguing article by Bernard Carpinter on the research being done by Alan Cooper and David Penny who are ensuring that a southern hemisphere perspective is being given to alleged catastrophic effects 65 million years ago of the huge meteor impact in Mexico. [April 97]

The work by Cooper and Penny is also a good example of Marsden funding for basic scientific research. In looking at other possible explanations for the extinction of many species at this time I would like to emphasise what Cooper concludes -- that there should be more investigation of southern hemisphere dinosaurs, mammals and birds, and that there is exciting work to be done in our backyard.

Michael Prebble, Manager, Marsden Fund

Like much of science, this project demonstrates how research tends to be an on-going process involving a number of disciplines. See the Quick Dip on "Geology and Genes" in our June 1995 issue, by Roger Cooper (Alan's father) from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science, for an earlier look at the topic.

We look forward to hearing how the project progresses in future years.