1. Shooting Stars @ the NHM
Ashley King
Planetary Minerals Group
Natural History Museum

2. Planetary Materials Group
2 permanent meteorite researchers - plus specialised input from other research groups.
Curator of the collection.
4 post-doctoral research assistants, 4 PhD students.

3. Meteorite Collection
3 meteorites purchased in 1802 – still a very new idea!
By 1883 around 250 specimens.

4. Today we have over 5000 pieces from 2000 different meteorites.
Meteorites from all over the world.
Most number of falls of any collection.
Largest collection of Martian meteorites – we also have some lunar meteorites.
Small collection of impact rocks.

5. Why do we study meteorites?

9. How do we study meteorites?

11. Public Outreach NHM attracts >5 million visitors each year.
Local and national science festivals.
Many internal and external talks.
Exhibitions.
National and international media coverage.
@NHM_Meteorites

12. Most are finds from deserts.
Around 60,000 meteorites.
Most are finds from deserts.
Few falls – <20 observed falling to Earth in enough detail to determine their orbits.
Can find them, calculate orbits, retrieve pristine materials etc.
Sutter’s Mill

14. Network of relatively cheap CCTV cameras continuously monitoring meteor activity across United Kingdom
A platform to
Record and report fireballs
Encourage collaboration projects and data analysis
Promote astronomy and citizen science.
Interaction with public and media.

18. Tring

19. Outreach Events @NHM_Meteorites Talks at local primary schools.
“Nature Live” events – 200 people.
Invited to the Tim Peake event at the Science Museum.
“Stars Above” events at Tring – 100 people.
Invited talk at Herstmonceux Observatory.
Science Uncovered - >5000 people each year.
Presented at the UK planetary science conference.
@NHM_Meteorites

20. Hintze Hall

21. Hintze Hall

22. Schools

23. William Perkin School, London

24. FRIPON / SCAMP

25. NHM Meteorites exhibition 2018…? Student projects…?
Future Outlook
Schools again…?
NHM Meteorites exhibition 2018…?
Student projects…?