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Meteorite. The 60- tonne, 2.7 m-long (8.9 ft) Hoba meteorite in Namibia is the largest known intact meteorite. [1] A meteorite is a rock that originated in outer space and has fallen to the surface of a planet or moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere, various factors such as friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the ...
the Uwet meteorite of Cross River State, Nigeria. the Sikhote-Alin meteorite, Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Russia. the Hex River Mountains meteorite from the Cape Winelands District, Western Cape Province, South Africa. the Canyon Diablo meteorite of Meteor Crater, Coconino County, Arizona, United States. the Smithonia meteorite of Oglethorpe County ...
Tektites (from Ancient Greek τηκτός (tēktós) 'molten') are gravel -sized bodies composed of black, green, brown or grey natural glass formed from terrestrial debris ejected during meteorite impacts. The term was coined by Austrian geologist Franz Eduard Suess (1867–1941), son of Eduard Suess. [note 1][1] They generally range in size ...
Kamacite is primarily associated with meteorites because it needs high temperatures, low pressures and few other more reactive elements like oxygen. Chondrite meteorites can be split into groups based on the chondrules present. There are three major types: enstatite chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites and ordinary chondrites.
Octahedrite. A phase diagram showing the link between structural and chemical classification. Octahedrites are the most common structural class of iron meteorites. The structures occur because the meteoric iron has a certain nickel concentration that leads to the exsolution of kamacite out of taenite while cooling.
Meteorite classification. In meteoritics, a meteorite classification system attempts to group similar meteorites and allows scientists to communicate with a standardized terminology when discussing them. Meteorites are classified according to a variety of characteristics, especially mineralogical, petrological, chemical, and isotopic properties.
Pallasite. A slice of the Esquel pallasite, clearly showing the large olivine crystals suspended in the metal matrix. The pallasites are a class of stony–iron meteorite. They are relatively rare, and can be distinguished by the presence of large olivine crystal inclusions in the ferro-nickel matrix.
Hibonite is a mineral with the chemical formula (Ca,Ce) (Al,Ti,Mg)12O19, occurring in various colours, with a hardness of 7.5–8.0 and a hexagonal crystal structure. It is rare, but is found in high-grade metamorphic rocks on Madagascar. Some presolar grains in primitive meteorites consist of hibonite.