waht can we learn about meteors?

Question

and why is it important to learn about meteors?

Answer 1

"and why is it important to learn about meteors?"

Because one day a meteorite will be our extinction. We need to predict when and if they will strike Earth and from which direction. It is also important to us that we learn how big it is and what it is made of.

This information can help us in the future for stopping large ones from hitting Earth. So far we can only rely on nuclear missiles to destroy them before they hit Earth or to change their course of direction.

If a large meteorite (i'm talking 3/4 size of America here) was to strike Earth on solid ground, the shockwave would send dust high in the atmosphere that wouldn't settle for years. This will block out the Sun's light and in a matter of days/weeks all life on earth will perish.

If a meteorite that large were to stike an ocean, then it would simply trigger a tidalwave big enough to cover 25% or more of the Earth.

Not to mention that a really huge impact could change our orbit around the Sun, meaning that we would either shoot off opposite the Sun or shoot into the Sun. Both ways, life will be destroyed.

Answer 2

Hi. Quite a bit, such as their source (sporadic or part of left over comet debris), and sometimes they contain material from an identifiable source such as the Moon or Mars. One sparked a debate over whether or not it contained signs or ancient life (from Mars). http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9608/06/mars.life/