What is a differentiated meteorite?

Another important characterization of the meteorites is as differentiated or undifferentiated meteorites. The differentiated meteorites, including the irons and stony-irons, appear to be fragments of larger bodies for which separation according to density took place while they were in the molten state after formation.

How does meteorite differentiation work?

In differentiation, denser materials like metallic iron and nickel sink to the core of a body, leaving a silicate mantle on top. This silicate mantle can also differentiate, forming a basaltic crust and a denser silicate mantle. In larger bodies, like Earth, Mars, and the Moon, this process is thought to be complete.

How would you differentiate meteors and meteorites from one another?

When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere (or that of another planet, like Mars) at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors. When a meteoroid survives a trip through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it’s called a meteorite.

How many meteorites are in a sample disk?

The Meteorite Sample Disk contains six labeled meteorites embedded in a 15 cm plastic disk. These pieces of asteroids represent the products of basic planetary processes: accretion, differentiation, volcanism and impact.

How many types of meteorites are there in the universe?

Most meteorites fall into one of four categories. The first three categories apparently have their origins in parent bodies that were gravitationally differentiated, as opposed to the fourth category.

What should I teach my students about meteorites?

The Curriculum Content Matrix, Lesson Topic Planner and Lesson Sequence Suggestions may assist teachers in integrating the meteorite activities with their existing Earth science curricula and standards requirements. The Teacher’s Guide, Meteorites, Clues to Solar System History , gives a broad introduction to many aspects of meteorite science.

What kind of meteorite is made of iron?

The first three categories apparently have their origins in parent bodies that were gravitationally differentiated, as opposed to the fourth category. “Iron meteorites”, also called “irons”, are usually just one big blob of iron-nickel (Fe-Ni) metal, as if it came from a industrial refinery without shaping.