Meteorites: Visitors from Space The Open University
What is a Meteorite? A meteorite is a natural object that survives its fall to Earth from Space
Hoba Meteorite, Namiba Largest Known Meteorite 60 tons, fell ~80,000 years ago
Chelyabinsk, Russia 15 th February 2013 Size of a big house! Speed: 40,000 mph London to Edinburgh in 36 seconds! Blast altitude: 15 to 20 km 1,500 people injured, 4000 buildings damaged Power of blast = about 20 small nuclear bombs
Chelyabinsk Meteorite
Chicxulub Impact 66 Million years ago km asteroid
The only recorded casualties! Nakhla – Egypt 1911 Valeria – Venezuela 1972
So are meteorites dangerous? No But they are fun!
Where are meteorites collected ?
We have about 50,000 Meteorites 34,000 from Antarctica 16,000 from the rest of the World
About 10,000 from North Africa
What do they look like and how can I spot one?
Meteorite Types 1. Stones –Chondriteshondrites 2. Stony Irons –Mesosiderites 3. Irons
Meteorite Types 1. Stones 2. Stony Irons –Pallasit 3. Irons
Meteorite Types 2. Stony Irons 3. Irons
Meteorite Types 3. Irons
Where do meteorites come from
The Moon Mars The Asteroid Belt
Apollo Missions 382 kg Moon Rocks
How to Plan a Space Mission
Stage 1. Where are you going?
Stage 2. You need a team
Stage 3. You need a name
Stage 4. You need a map
Stage 5. How long is it going to take?
Stage 6. Do you hire some astronauts?
Stage 7. What sort of spacecraft do you want?
Stage 8. Now you can design your spacecraft.
Stage 9. Choose your instruments.
Stage 10. What do you hope to learn about your destination?