2007-04-17 12:42:58 · 7 answers · asked by Gharbenz 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Most meteorites contain at least some iron metal (actually an alloy of iron and nickel). You can see the metal shining on a broken surface. Iron meteorites are all metal, stony iron meteorites are about half metal, half stone, and stone meteorites contain small flecks of metal.
2007-04-17 13:03:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The old professor says: My research area is meteoritics...the study of meteorites. (Meteorology is the study of weather) As others have said, meteorites are basically grouped into three catagories. The siderites, or "irons" contain around 90% Fe and 8-9% Ni with traces of sulfur and other metals. These percentage values are different for many, but fall pretty much in this area.
The stony-irons, or meso-siderites are also known as pallasites because their reflection spectra closely resembles that of the asteroid Pallas. They contain the mineral olivine, (which is a ferrosilicate) masses that are surrounded by metals similar in composition to the siderites.
The third group is the stoneys. These are primarily composed of ferrosilicate minerals such a olivine matrices with fayalite, fosterite, and other minerals present. Although many contain native metals such as iron and nickel others may contain NO metal flakes. Those with high metal content are classed as H types and those with little metal content are classed as L types. When heated, many stony meteorites will give off volatile gases and considerable amounts of water! Other stones contain a lot of carbon. Some of these carbonaceous chondrite meteorites have been found to contain tiny diamonds!
The trace element content of meteorites is quite different than that of Earth rocks. Meteorites also contain a high level of the element iridium...which led us to the conclusion that the demise of the dinosaurs was due to a meteor impact.
2007-04-17 14:08:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate minerals; iron meteorites are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron ones contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material.
2007-04-17 12:48:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rock. Many have high concentrations of iron or nickle.
2007-04-17 12:49:21 · answer #4 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually iron
2007-04-17 12:45:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
heavy metal ore...iron
2007-04-17 12:46:12 · answer #6 · answered by michael 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the brains of all those dumb people in the world
2007-04-17 12:46:04 · answer #7 · answered by bananananana 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋