WHY RESEARCH METEORITES?
WHY RESEARCH METEORITES?
WHY RESEARCH METEORITES?
Numerous scientists from all over the world have spent their careers studying
meteorites because they contain a record of our solar system's history going
back some 4.6 billion years. By researching meteorites, we can learn details
about how our solar system evolved into the Sun and planets of today—and
how meteorite impacts could affect our future.
Numerous scientists from all over the world have spent their careers studying
meteorites because they contain a record of our solar system's history going
back some 4.6 billion years. By researching meteorites, we can learn details
about how our solar system evolved into the Sun and planets of today—and
how meteorite impacts could affect our future.
WHAT METEORITES TELL US
WHAT METEORITES TELL US
STELLAR FORMATION
Some meteorites contain grains of dust (“stardust”) that were produced by
stars before the formation of our Solar System. Studies of these presolar
grains can increase our understanding of star formation and evolution.
SOLAR SYSTEM ORIGINS
Certain "primitive" meteorites contain the first solid material to form in
our solar system. Researchers have used the age of this material — 4.568 billion
years — to determine the age of our solar system. Many primitive meteorites
have remained essentially unchanged since they formed, hence giving us a
snapshot of the conditions in the early solar system.
HISTORY OF LIFE
Meteorites may have brought to Earth the components necessary for life –
organic compounds such as carboxylic acids, complex amino acids, aliphatic
amines, acetic acid and formic acid can be transported great distances inside
space rocks. Additionally, large meteorite impacts, like the one ~65 million
years ago that killed off the dinosaurs, can lead to major extinctions and
influence the course of life on our planet.
REFERENCES
- Arizona State University meteorites.asu.edu. Retrieved on 20 June 2018.
- American Museum of Natural History amnh.org. Retrieved on 20 June 2018.
METEORITES 101
This step-by-step guide will show you how to locate meteorite fall sites
using radar software and weather data along with info provided by reporting
agencies and monitoring systems.
These instructions will show you how to best preserve the meteorites you
discover and how to make contact with the organizations that are willing
to accept and analyze your find.
Don't know exactly what a meteorite is, what they are made of or where
they come from? If that's the case, we have provided a mini-"crash"
course in what you need to know about them.
There's a lot going on in the study of meteorites, both here at NASA
and in other places. Here are a few links to the people and institutions
who are leading the research in this field.
METEORITES 101
METEORITES 101
This step-by-step guide will show you how to locate possible meteorite
fall sites using radar software and weather data along with info provided
by reporting agencies and monitoring systems.
These instructions will show you how to best preserve the meteorites you
discover and how to make contact with the organizations that are willing
to accept and analyze your find.
Don't know exactly what a meteorite is, what they are made of or where
they come from? If that's the case, we have provided a mini-"crash" course
in what you need to know about them.
There's a lot going on in the study of meteorites, both here at NASA
and in other places. Here are a few links to the people and institutions
who are leading the research in this field.
