WELSH scientists have discovered that a comet hitting the Earth 1,500 years ago literally plunged the planet into the Dark Ages. Astronomers at Cardiff University have found the cause of poor crops and starvation in the sixth century was a comet hitting the Earth and causing a massive explosion in the upper atmosphere. Debris from the giant blast enveloped the earth in soot and ash, blocking out the sunlight and causing the extremely cold weather. Britain experienced summer frosts and poor growing conditions. And the experts have warned if a similar event happens in the future, then the world' could face widespread starvation, death and disease. The team from the university's school of physics and astronomy has been studying evidence from tree rings. | 
