Researchers Uncover Origins of Earth’s Meteorites, Tracing Over 90% to Specific Asteroid Families

Merdiyanto search Indonesia

Sunday, November 17, 2024

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Researchers reveal the origin of meteors that often hit the earth. Photo: Repro AFP

“A recent discovery in the world of astronomy has revealed the mystery of where most of the meteors that often hit the earth come from.”

KENDARI, TELISIK.ID – A recent discovery in the world of astronomy has revealed the mystery of where most of the meteors that often hit the earth come from.

Researchers from various institutions have succeeded in tracing the origins of more than 90 percent of the meteorites found on our planet, reported by cnnindonesia.com, Sunday (17/11/2024).

Until now, we only know the origins of a small portion of the meteorites that fall to Earth. However, a series of recent studies have provided a more comprehensive understanding, revealing that more than 90 percent of the meteorites we find have the same origin.

Three recent studies have succeeded in matching the rock types and orbits of asteroids with those of meteorites on Earth through very detailed telescope observations and computer simulations.

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The research was under the leadership of scientists from the French National Center for Scientific Research, the European Southern Observatory and Charles University in the Czech Republic.

Based on previous analysis, the meteorites that hit Earth have similar compositions and levels of exposure to cosmic radiation.

This indicates that they originate from fragments of parent objects that were relatively recently formed.

The researchers specialize in the study of H and L chondrite meteorites, which are the most common types of meteorites and account for about 70 percent of the total meteorites.

This meteorite is unique because it contains chondrules, which are small particles formed from the rapid cooling of liquid material in space.

This research shows that type H and L meteorites came from collisions between the asteroids Massalia, Karin and Koronis in the main asteroid belt. Scientists even managed to estimate the time of the collision.

The major impact on the Massalia asteroid occurred around 466 million to 40 million years ago, while the impacts in the Karin and Koronis families occurred around 5.8 million and 7.6 million years ago.

“Supporting evidence includes the existence of associated dust bands, the age of cosmic ray exposure of the H chondrite meteorite, as well as the pre-atmospheric orbital distribution of the meteorite,” the researchers wrote in one of their studies, reported by Science Alert, Sunday (17/11/2024).

The results of this research show that the majority of meteorites we find on Earth come from a small number of asteroid families. In addition, the collision event that caused the formation of these meteorites occurred relatively close to the present.

The life cycle of an asteroid involves repeated collisions causing the formation of many small fragments. These fragments then escaped the asteroid belt and fell to Earth as meteorites, explaining why we still find meteorites today.

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Repeated collisions in this family of asteroids produce many small fragments that are constantly released and fall to Earth, so that we still often encounter meteorites today.

Apart from the H and L meteorites, researchers also studied other types of meteorites and succeeded in tracing the origins of more than 90 percent of the meteorites found. These meteorites are associated with asteroid families such as Veritas, Polana, and Eos.

With these findings, astronomers can better understand the evolution of the solar system and the paths of asteroids and meteorites. Research will continue to be carried out to identify all types of meteorites.

“Future research should focus on the few remaining classes of meteorites, especially iron meteorites, pallasite, and ureilite,” the researchers wrote in their study. (C)

Author: Merdiyanto

Editor: Mustaqim

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The Cosmic Origins of Meteorites: A Journey Through Time!

By Merdiyanto | Sunday, November 17, 2024

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Ladies and gentlemen, gather ‘round! We’ve cracked a cosmic code that has stumped scientists for ages! Yes, you heard it right – the mystery of where most meteors that like to plummet down to Earth has finally been revealed. What a plot twist! It’s almost like finding out the butler did it, but in this case, the culprits were a bunch of rocky asteroids!

A group of intrepid researchers from prestigious institutions has delivered the astonishing news that over 90% of meteorites hitting our dear planet come from specific atmospheric convicts. That’s right, these rocks originate from a select few families of asteroids! Now, if only my family reunions had that kind of cosmic cohesion.

And just when you thought your personal history was complicated…

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Using detailed telescope observations and some nerdy computer simulations, these scientists tackled the challenge of tracing meteor origins. They focused mainly on H and L chondrite meteorites—the rockstars of the meteor world! These fellas account for a whopping 70% of all meteorite arrivals, proving their dominance in the cosmic rock scene. I mean, if celestial rock concerts were a thing, these would be the headliners!

Our team of researchers took a deep dive into the past, pinpointing significant collisions that happened between the asteroids Massalia, Karin, and Koronis in the main asteroid belt. An impressive feat, considering Massalia has been throwing parties for over 466 million years! Talk about a long-lived asteroid! The party now has a new guest: Earth!

And you thought navigating family gatherings was tough…

The science behind this is nearly as jaw-dropping as a Ricky Gervais roast. Beyond identifying their origins, they even managed to uncover when these collisions, akin to rock events gone wrong, occurred. Massalia’s booming collision happened between 466 million and 40 million years ago. I’m convinced that in the asteroid world, it’s still a serious talking point over some cosmic tea.

This profound study posits that the main takeaway from the chaos of colliding asteroids is simply that the cycle of collision leads to a never-ending release of fragments that eventually rain down on us as meteorites. It’s almost poetic—it’s like a cosmic game of dodgeball, and we’re all in the line of fire.

But wait, there’s more! The researchers are not just stopping at the cheerful H and L chondrites. They are setting their sights on the rarer meteoric families: iron meteorites, pallasite, and ureilite. Just when you thought we wrapped up the last chapter, they’ve set the stage for a thrilling sequel!

In conclusion, with these stellar discoveries, astronomers are piecing together the cosmic jigsaw puzzle of our solar system. They’re opening doors to a treasure trove of knowledge about how asteroids and meteorites dance (or crash) through the galaxy. Who knew space could be so exciting? It’s as if Jerry Springer had a show about asteroids—“Who’s your cosmic daddy?”

So there you have it! Keep watching the skies; you never know when a meteorite from a long-lost asteroid family might be headed your way. Just Don’t forget: when they fall, dashing grab your telescope, not your golf clubs!

For more cosmic excitement, keep your eyes tuned to Google News!

GOOGLE NEWS

Merdiyanto search Indonesia

Sunday, November 17, 2024

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Researchers reveal the origin of meteors that often hit the earth. Photo: Repro AFP

KENDARI, TELISIK.ID – A groundbreaking discovery in astronomy has illuminated the origins of the meteors that frequently collide with our planet. For the first time, researchers have traced the roots of over 90 percent of meteorites found on Earth, highlighting a significant advancement in our understanding of these cosmic phenomena.

Through the collaborative efforts of esteemed scientists from various research institutions, detailed studies indicate that most meteorites share a common ancestry. Prior to this research, only a minuscule percentage of meteorites had their origins identified. This latest analysis demonstrates a remarkable leap in knowledge, revealing that a majority of meteorites originate from a select group of asteroid families.

Recently published studies utilized advanced telescope observations and sophisticated computer simulations to correlate rock types and trajectories of asteroids with those of meteorites impacting Earth. This approach has not only unveiled the relationships between different celestial bodies but has also underscored the significance of these findings in the broader context of cosmic research.

This pivotal research was spearheaded by the French National Center for Scientific Research, the European Southern Observatory, and Charles University in the Czech Republic. Their collaborative efforts have allowed for significant advancements in the understanding of meteorite composition and exposure to cosmic radiation, shedding light on how these extraterrestrial materials came to be.

The studies focused specifically on H and L chondrite meteorites, which collectively account for approximately 70 percent of meteorites that reach our planet. These meteorites are noteworthy for containing chondrules—tiny particles formed from the rapid cooling of molten material in space—suggesting a fascinating geological history.

Findings indicate that H and L meteorites are remnants of catastrophic collisions involving the asteroids Massalia, Karin, and Koronis within the main asteroid belt. Research teams have even estimated the timeline of these collisional events, with significant impacts on the Massalia asteroid traced to periods between 466 million and 40 million years ago, highlighting the dynamic history of our solar system.

Furthermore, researchers assert that evidence from dust bands, cosmic ray exposure ages of H chondrite meteorites, and pre-atmospheric orbital patterns bolster their claims regarding the origins of these celestial fragments. This new understanding emphasizes that the meteorites we encounter today are remnants of events that happened not long ago in astronomical terms.

The cyclical nature of asteroid collisions continues to produce numerous small fragments, which eventually escape their parent bodies and fall to Earth, thus explaining our ongoing encounters with meteorites. This process elucidates the life cycle of asteroids and their role in contributing to the meteorite shower phenomenon we experience.

In addition to H and L meteorites, researchers have successfully traced the origins of other meteorite types, connecting them with additional asteroid families such as Veritas, Polana, and Eos. These insights contribute to a greater comprehension of how these celestial bodies have evolved over time.

As the research progresses, astronomers are determined to enhance our understanding of the solar system’s evolution, meteorite paths, and overall cosmic dynamics. Future studies are encouraged to focus on the remaining lesser-known classes of meteorites, including iron meteorites, pallasites, and ureilites, to complete the picture of our planet’s cosmic interactions.

Author: Merdiyanto

Editor: Mustaqim

* READ MORE LATEST NEWS AT GOOGLE NEWS

How do the interactions within asteroid families enrich​ our understanding‍ of the solar system’s evolution over million and 40 million years?

‌ Million and 40 million years ago. These insights have ‍helped ‍clarify the dynamic processes governing the asteroid belt ‍and how fragments from these encounters ultimately make their way to Earth as meteorites.

The staggering revelation that over 90% ⁣of meteorites can be traced back to a handful of asteroid families not only enriches ⁤our understanding of ⁣their origin but⁣ also highlights the complex interactions and collisions within ​our solar system. ‌These asteroid families,⁤ primarily associated ‌with H‍ chondrites and ‍L chondrites, act as ​a cosmic fountain, continuously redistributing fragments that eventually become meteorites.

The​ researchers’ work underscores the ⁣importance of these ​findings for future inquiries into‌ the evolution‌ of the solar​ system. By understanding the origins and pathways of these celestial rocks, scientists can draw conclusions about the conditions that prevailed in the early solar system and how these evolved over millions of years.

Not stopping with H and‍ L‍ chondrites, the team suggests future studies should divert ⁢attention towards less common meteorite classes, such as⁣ iron meteorites, pallasites, ⁤and ureilites.​ Through continued⁣ research, astronomers may ⁣uncover even more about the history and dynamics of our cosmic neighborhood.

As we continue to observe the skies, it’s clear ​that understanding the origins and journeys of meteorites helps unravel the complex narrative of our solar​ system’s history. ⁤This newfound knowledge gives us not just a⁢ better grasp of ​our celestial neighbors, ⁣but also‍ a reminder of how⁤ interconnected the ⁢universe can be,‍ echoing ​through⁢ time‌ and space in a never-ending celestial dance. So the⁤ next time you hear about a meteorite falling, remember the tale of⁢ its origins—a story⁣ written in⁣ the stars!

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