Recent scientific research has brought the mineralogy of a meteorite, Mukundpura CM2, into focus. This celestial relic descended to Earth in 2017, dropping near Mukundpura village, not far from Jaipur. A meteorite, by definition, is a stand-alone piece of debris from either comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that heralds from outer space and withstands the atmosphere’s journey to land on a planet or moon.
Key Insights about Mukundpura CM2
The Mukundpura CM2 meteorite gained a classification as a carbonaceous chondrite, its composition bearing close resemblance to the Sun. Chondrites are essentially meteorites bearing silicate droplets; this particular specimen from Mukundpura is India’s fifth known carbonaceous meteorite.
Meteorite Classification
Meteorites garner classification into three broad groups: Stony, enveloping silicate-rich specimens, Iron-based ones with Fe-Ni alloy, and Stony-Iron, a blend of mixed silicate iron alloy. The Mukundpura CM2 exemplifies the stony variety, being the most primitive type of meteorite. It is considered a vestige of the earliest solid bodies that coalesced in our solar system.
Components within Mukundpura CM2
In-depth spectroscopic studies divulged the presence of significantly high (approximately 90%) phyllosilicate minerals in the meteorite, encompassing both magnesium and iron within its folds. In addition to these, the meteorite contains forsterite, FeO olivine, and calcium aluminium rich inclusion (CAI) minerals, along with a scant presence of magnetites, sulphides, aluminium complexes, and calcites.
The Importance of Meteorite Research
Investigating meteorites provides a lens into the history of our solar system, paving the path for understanding its evolution into the present-day configuration of the Sun and planets. Further, the knowledge gained helps understand the impact effects of meteorites. Given their rich composition of volatile substances and minerals, studying meteorites could potentially unlock prospects for future planetary exploration.
Understanding the Difference: Meteor, Meteorite, and Meteoroid
Crucial to this field of study is the differentiation between meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids. Essentially, meteoroids transform into meteors when they enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, consequently burning up to create spectacular fireballs or “shooting stars.” If these meteoroids survive their atmospheric descent and reach the ground, they earn the denomination of a meteorite.
The article utilizes information provided by TH as the primary source.