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A meteoroid (/ ˈ m iː t i ə r ɔɪ d / MEE-tee-ə-royd) [1] is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. Meteoroids are distinguished as objects significantly smaller than asteroids, ranging in size from grains to objects up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide. [2] Objects smaller than meteoroids are classified as micrometeoroids or space dust.
Scientific research in meteoritics includes the collection, identification, and classification of meteorites and the analysis of samples taken from them in a laboratory. Typical analyses include investigation of the minerals that make up the meteorite, their relative locations, orientations, and chemical compositions; analysis of isotope ratios ...
Porous chondrite dust particle. Cosmic dust – also called extraterrestrial dust, space dust, or star dust – is dust that occurs in outer space or has fallen onto Earth. [1] [2] Most cosmic dust particles measure between a few molecules and 0.1 mm (100 μm), such as micrometeoroids (<30 μm) and meteoroids (>30 μm). [3]
Meteoroids Page at NASA's Solar System exploration; Current meteorite news articles; International Meteorite Collectors Association News and information about meteorite collecting and authentication ethics; Planetary Science Research Discoveries: meteorite articles and photographs; The British and Irish Meteorite Society
Reports vary; some meteorites are reported to be "burning hot to the touch" upon landing, while others are alleged to have been cold enough to condense water and form a frost. [13] [14] [15] Meteoroids that disintegrate in the atmosphere may fall as meteorite showers, which can range from only a few up to thousands of separate individuals.
The in situ Micrometeoroid analyzer recorded impacts of meteoroids onto the sensitive detector surface and characterized their composition. The instruments delivered radial profiles of their measured data. Comet or meteoroid streams, and even interstellar dust were identified in the data.
The results showed that the meteoroid hazard is significant and meteoroid protection methods must be implemented for large space vehicles. [ 40 ] In 1986, the Vega 1 and Vega 2 missions were equipped with a new dust detector, developed by John Simpson , which used polyvinylidene difluoride PVDF films. [ 43 ]
These studies show that some meteorite classes are closely related to some asteroids. The HED meteorites for example are correlated with 4 Vesta. [2] Another, perhaps most useful way to classify meteorites by parent bodies is by grouping them according to composition, with types from each hypothetical parent body clustering on a graph. [3]