WHAT
ARE METEORITES?
 Meteorites
are naturally occurring objects that originate in space and survive
a fall to the ground through Earth's atmosphere. Most are remnants
of asteroids or possibly comets. However, a few have been shown
to be pieces of Moon or Mars that were launched into space by
an impact event. While moving through space these objects are
known as meteoroids. The bright streaks that they produce
while moving through Earth's atmosphere are known as a meteors.
The term meteorite is also used for a meteoroid that
has landed on the surface of a celestial body other than earth.
There are three main types of meteorites. The most abundant are
stone meteorites which are primarily made up of silicate
minerals such as olivine, pyroxene and feldspar. As their name
implies, iron meteorites are mainly composed of iron
but also contain a significant amount of nickel. The rarest of
the three are the stony-iron meteorites. They are a mixture
of stony and metallic materials.
Pictured top:
A part slice of the beautiful Imilac pallasite from Chile |
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Meteorite Men on
Science Channel |
A complete stone meteorite
(L6 chondrite) recovered in McLennan County, Texas, only a
few days after it fell to earth. This meteorite was part of
the spectacular February 15, 2009 fireball filmed by a cameraman
in Austin. Note the black fusion crust which is typical of
freshly fallen meteorites, and the numerous flow lines—both
created by the intense heat generated by the fireball.
Photograph
by Leigh Anne DelRay / Callisto Images |
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Featured News |
 The
eagerly awaited second book by award-winning author Geoff
Notkin of Meteorite Men is Rock
Star: Adventures of a Meteorite Man. Stanegate Press,
252 pages, full color throughout, with over 130 exclusive
photos, and an introduction by legendary author Neil
Gaiman. Order directly from: www.meteoritehunters.tv |
| Martian Meteorites |
A number of meteorites found on Earth have
been shown to be pieces of Mars by studying their chemical
and mineralogical composition.
 SNC
Meteorites
Planetary
Meteorites – Meteorites.de |
| This Sikhote-Alin
iron meteorite (IIAB) was seen to fall in a remote area
of Siberia in 1947. It was part of the largest documented
meteorite event of modern times. Note the indentations, known
as regmaglypts, and the natural hole, caused when
the meteorite melted during flight. Iron meteorites that exhibit
attractive sculptural qualities, such as this example, and
highly prized by collectors for their beauty. |
|  With
over 3,200 members, Club Space Rock is
the world's largest meteorite
forum and it is the place to learn about space
rocks and meet hunters, collectors, researchers, dealers
and enthusiasts. And it's free!
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Geoff
Notkin, co-host of Science Channel's award-winning adventure series
Meteorite Men is also a science writer and blogger. His
popular 
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