'Star scar' explored to unlock space secrets

ROCHECHOUART, France - Since early September, the denizens of this normally hushed burg in central France have been serenaded by an industrial drill poking holes around town and pulling up cylinders of rock.

That's because Rochechouart, population 3,800, and its medieval castle are built on top of an astrobleme.

"An astrobleme - which literally means 'star scar' - is the name given to traces left by a major meteorite impact," said Philippe Lambert, one of the astrogeologists trying to unlock its secrets.