Controversy continues about whether structures found in one of these meteorites, known as ALH 84001, might be fossil bacteria or geologic structures. Gases trapped in these meteorites match the composition of the Martian atmosphere as measured by the Viking spacecraft, which landed on Mars in the mid-1970s. Sixteen meteorites have been found in Antarctica that are believed to have originated on the planet Mars. This contrasts with the idea that meteoroids originated from an exploded planet, planetoid or asteroid. This gives rise to theories that some meteoroid material was aggregated - that some were subjected to heating-vaporization-condensation. While most meteors burn up before reaching the Earth’s surface, many meteoroids break apart in the upper atmosphere, and become “fluffy meteors.” This “fluffy” nature indicates a loose structure or vapor grown crystal aggregates. Most meteoritic samples are either iron (actually nickel-iron alloy) stony, which are predominately rocky-silicates or stony-iron. Hewlett Hodges of Sylacauga, Alabama was severely bruised by an 8 pound stony meteorite that crashed through her roof. A shower of stones fell upon Nakhla, near Alexandria, Egypt on 28 June 1911, one of which allegedly killed a dog. There are only a few documented cases on record. The largest individual meteorite found is the Hoba meteorite in southwest Africa, which has a mass of about 54,000 kg and mostly consists of iron.Ĭonsidering the vast infall of meteorites, one cannot help but wonder if anyone has been hurt or killed by meteorites. They vary in size from micrometer size grains to large individual boulders. Some may have depressioned (thumbprint-like), roughened or smooth exteriors. They may be dense metallic chunks or more rocky. Meteorites may look very much like Earth rocks, or they may have a burned appearance. The Leonids are associated with comet Tempel-Tuttle Aquarids and Orionids with Halley, and the Taurids with Encke. Many of the meteor showers are associated with comets. Meteor showers are usually named after a star or constellation which is close to the radiant (the position from which the meteors appear to come). Perhaps the most famous are the Perseids, which peak around August 12 every year. The number always increases after midnight and is usually greatest just before dawn. For example, there are generally more visible “shooting stars” during the autumn and winter of the year. In fact, some meteor showers occur annually or at rather regular intervals. Sometimes the number of meteors seen increases dramatically: these are termed “meteor showers”.
Several “shooting stars” or meteors per hour can usually be seen on any given night. Some evidence indicates an origin from comets. Some meteoritic material is similar to the Earth and Moon and some is quite different. They may share a common origin with the asteroids. Their composition provides clues to their origins. Where do they come from? They probably come from within our own solar system, rather than interstellar space.
(These particles are so tiny that the air resistance is enough to slow them sufficiently that they do not burn up, but rather fall gently to Earth.) However, most of this material is very tiny - in the form of micrometeoroids or dust-like grains a few micrometers in size. Scientists estimate that 1,000 tons to more than 10,000 tons of meteoritic material falls on the Earth each day. Large pieces that do not vaporize completely and reach the surface of the Earth are termed meteorites.
The bright trails as they are coming through the Earth’s atmosphere are termed meteors, and these chunks as they are hurtling through space are called meteoroids. Shooting stars or meteors are bits of material falling through Earth’s atmosphere they are heated to incandescence by the friction of the air. Pieces that survive the journey and hit the ground are called meteorites. They become meteors - or shooting stars - when they fall through a planet’s atmosphere leaving a bright trail as they are heated to incandescence by the friction of the atmosphere. Little chunks of rock and debris in space are called meteoroids.
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