Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
A meteorite is a portion of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and hits the ground without being destroyed. [22] Meteorites are sometimes, but not always, found in association with hypervelocity impact craters; during energetic collisions, the entire impactor may be vaporized, leaving no meteorites.
A chondrite / ˈ k ɒ n d r aɪ t / is a stony (non-metallic) meteorite that has not been modified by either melting or differentiation of the parent body. [a] [1] They are formed when various types of dust and small grains in the early Solar System accreted to form primitive asteroids.
The fireball that occurs as the meteoroid passes through the atmosphere can appear to be very bright, rivaling the sun in intensity, although most are far dimmer and may not even be noticed during the daytime. Various colors have been reported, including yellow, green, and red. Flashes and bursts of light can occur as the object breaks up.
This group, named after the Ivuna meteorite (Tanzania), have chemical compositions that are close to that measured in the solar photosphere (aside from gaseous elements, and elements such as lithium which are underrepresented in the Sun's photosphere by comparison to their abundance in CI chondrites). In this sense, they are chemically the most ...
CIs average ~3.8% carbon, with excursions from 2-5%. This is the highest of the carbonaceous chondrites, but not of all meteorites- some ureilites may contain more. [58] The carbon is partly in the form of native carbon (graphite, nanodiamonds, etc.), and carbonates, [59] [60] but the bulk is dispersed as globules of organics.
The Allende meteorite is the largest carbonaceous chondrite ever found on Earth. The fireball was witnessed at 01:05 on February 8, 1969, falling over the Mexican state of Chihuahua . [ 1 ] After it broke up in the atmosphere , an extensive search for pieces was conducted and over 2 tonnes (2.2 tons) were recovered.
Light has to pass through a larger part of the atmosphere when the sun is lower on the horizon. Red, orange and yellow have longer wavelengths, which means, in short, they have a better chance of ...
[83] [84] As the Sun is 99% of the mass of the Solar System, knowing the solar abundance is the starting point for any other part or process of this System. [85] The solar correspondence is similar but weaker in CM chondrites. More-volatile elements have been somewhat depleted relative to the CIs, and more-refractory elements somewhat enriched.