SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Most metal-bearing meteorites are stony meteorites known as ordinary chondrites; the rest are other types of chondrites, brecciated achondrites, irons, pallasites, and stony irons (see statistics).

Detailed explanation-2: -They consist mainly of iron-nickel metal with small amounts of sulphide and carbide minerals. During the decay of radioactive elements in the early history of the solar system, many asteroids melted and the iron they contained, being dense, sank to the centre to form a metallic core.

Detailed explanation-3: -STONY METEORITES More than 95% of meteorites observed to fall to Earth are stony. They can be divided into chondrites and achondrites. Both types are composed mostly of silicate minerals, but the great majority also contain metallic iron in small-scattered grains.

Detailed explanation-4: -Meteorites are fragments of rock or metal that fall to Earth from space. They are very rare, but many people find unusual rocks or pieces of metal and wonder if they might have found a meteorite.

Detailed explanation-5: -Meteoroids are objects in space that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids. Think of them as “space rocks.” 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.

Detailed explanation-6: -Iridium (Ir) – Iridium, a member of the platinum family of metals (PGMs) is a rare and valuable metal that is often found in meteorites. Iridium has a variety of industrial uses, including in the production of hard alloys and as a catalyst in chemical reactions.