Most meteorites on Earth trace back to single asteroid families between Mars and Jupiter

theconversation.com October 16, 2024, 11:00 PM UTC

Summary: New research reveals that most meteorites falling to Earth come from a few specific asteroid families located between Mars and Jupiter. Two studies published in *Nature* identify these origins, enhancing our understanding of the solar system's history.

The studies trace ordinary chondrite meteorites to collisions among large asteroids, particularly from the Koronis and Massalia families. These findings suggest that specific asteroids are the main sources of different types of meteorites found on Earth.

The research also connects the composition of L chondrite meteorites to the Massalia family, based on spectroscopic data. This work lays the groundwork for future missions to explore these asteroids and their role in shaping our planetary system.

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