Meteorite chemistry

By 2021-08-16T06:55:00

An illustration of people watching a bright meteor in the night sky

Source: © Jens Magnusson/Ikon Images

What is a meteorite made of? Studying the composition of meteors allows scientists to look back billions of years to before the birth of the solar system

In February 2021, a meteor hurtled through space before smashing into a driveway in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. With the remains of the rare meteorite likely to hold secrets from before the solar system existed, excited scientists scrambled to collect every fragment and dust particle. This article explains how meteorite chemistry allows scientists to look back billions of years to before the birth of the solar system and understand more about how Earth, as we know it, was formed. It’s accompanied by a data analysis activity suitable for 11–14 students.

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