How many Types of Meteorites are There
What Are the Different Types of Meteorites
Formation: 75-90% rock-forming minerals like silicate, 10-25% of metallic elements (nickel-iron alloy), small amounts of iron sulfide Characteristics: Stone-like appearance with small flecks of metal Formation: Being primitive, these can contain materials that predate the formation of the solar system and planets. Having never undergoing melting, these are often studied to learn about the origin of the universe. Characteristics: Lots of chondrules (tiny metallic or mineral grains)visible on the surface Subdivisions: Ordinary, carbonaceous, and enstatite chondrites Examples: Ochansk in Russia, Allende in Mexico, Abee in Ontario museum Formation: Formed due to igneous activity in planetary bodies that have distinct core and crust, like large asteroids, the moon, and mars. Characteristics: Melting and re-crystallization eradicates ancient chondrules Subdivisions: Howerdite, eucrite, and diogenite, together called HED meteorite Examples: NWA 2698 in Africa, Millbillillie in Australia, Bilanga in Burkina Faso(West Africa) Formation: 75-95% iron, cobalt about, 5-25% nickel, and trace amounts of troilite (iron sulfide). The iron in this meteorite is one of the earliest sources of iron available to humans to forge tools and weapons. Characteristics: Typical crystal structure (Widmanstatten structure) can be seen when cut, polished and exposed to nitric acid Examples: Boguslavka meteorite Examples: Sikhote-Alin meteorite in Russia Examples: Hoba meteorite in Namibia Formation: Composed of roughly equal parts of metal (iron-nickel alloy) and stone, originates from mixing of the metallic core and rocky magma within the asteroids. These are believed to have undergone melting and solidification multiple times that results in physical and chemical changes. Characteristics: Smooth and sometimes glossy, embedded with silicates; often cut into gemstones (e.g. extraterrestrial peridot) Characteristics: Centimeter-size greenish or olive crystals embedded in the body Examples: Brenham in United States, Imilac in the Atacama desert in Chile Characteristics: In contrast to pallasite, its crystals are smaller, pale silicate minerals. Examples: Chinguetti in Africa, Vaca Muerta in the Atacama desert in Chile
