Analysis: Russian Meteorite Was An Everyday Space Rock, Common Throughout The Solar System

But it was still notable for its size, and its well-recorded demise in the atmosphere.

By Rebecca Boyle Posted 02.25.2013 at 1:30 pm 3 Comments

Space Rock Fragments Ural Federal University

The giant space rock that exploded above Russia earlier this month spent about 4.5 billion years cruising around the solar system before its fiery arrival in Earth’s atmosphere. It was just an average asteroid, albeit a big one at roughly 10,000 tons. Scientists who have been analyzing it at the Urals Federal University say it was a chondrite, the most widespread space rock in our neighborhood.

Over the weekend, teams of volunteer skiers covered about 31 miles of the meteorite’s “strewing field,” which is the name for the elliptical shape in which meteorite debris can be found. Researchers gathered more than 100 fragments in their latest expedition to the Chelyabinsk region, according to university officials who spoke to Russian media. The largest recovered so far weighs in around a kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds, although more precise measurements still have to be made.

Now that scientists are beginning to get a handle on what the rock was made of, they can start to piece together more information about its history.

The rock, which will likely be dubbed the Chebarkul meteorite, can be further classified as an aerolite, according to UrFU. Scientists have already detected strange minerals like olivine, pyroxene, troilite, kamacite and taenite, according to Viktor Grokhovsky, an associate professor of physics and technology who is leading the meteorite-hunting expeditions. The meteorite is stony and contains about 10 percent iron. Here's a video with some images--it's in Russian, so we have no idea what they're saying, but there are lots of nice meteorite samples you can look at:

An earlier excursion returned about 50 meteorite pieces that were found near a hole on Lake Chebarkul. Those pieces were smaller than a centimeter.

Helicopters have also been aiding in the search, and so have amateur meteorite hunters who have started hawking their wares on eBay and other places. Meanwhile, things are getting back to normal in the Chelyabinsk region -- one-third of people who were hospitalized were released on Friday, and more than 4,000 out of 5,000 damaged buildings have been provided with new windows, according to the Interfax news agency.

Meteorite Measurements: Ural Federal University

Previous Article: Can Science Solve France's Twin Rape Mystery?

Next Article: New Research Sheds Light On How Dogs Became Dogs

3 Comments

Link to this comment

killerT

02/25/13 at 2:22 pm

What?! No yellow Kryptonite?!

Link to this comment

cudchewingcows

02/26/13 at 2:47 pm

Visit:
www.spaceviz.com

Here is the web address of Planetary Defense directly:
www.spaceviz.com/documentaries/planetarydefense/planetarydefense.html

Comments/Reviews:
View All Reviews (as .PDF)
www.spaceviz.com/img/Planetary_Defense_comments.pdf

Here are a few samples:

Your production is the best there is regarding NEOs, the threat of impact, and what might be done about it.

-Rusty Schweickart (Apollo 9 Astronaut; Chairman, ASE-NEO Committee; Chairman B-612 Foundation)

Planetary Defense, the ﬁlm, is a documentary that explores how ill-prepared we are to prevent our own extinction from asteroid and comet impacts. They interviewed all the right people, asked them all the right questions, and leaves the viewer scared for our future, but empowered to do something about it.

-Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysicist and Frederick P. Rose Director, American Museum of Natural History, NYC)

“No matter where the next big impact occurs, we’re all in big trouble!”

-Duncan Steel (Space Researcher, Author)

Planetary Defense

Who will save Earth?

Scientists and the military have only recently awakened to the notion that impacts with Earth do happen. "Planetary Defense" meets with both the scientific and military communities to study our options to mitigate an impact with Earth from large meteors, asteroids and comets, collectively known as NEO's (Near Earth Objects). “Civilization is ill prepared for the inevitable. It's not if an impact will happen with the Earth, it's when!”

Without exaggeration, I can say this is one of the most important documentaries made. You may quote me on this."

-Sir Arthur C. Clarke (Author, "2001: A Space Odyssey")

"Great stuff. This is a brilliant documentary: concise, precise, and authoritative."

-Duncan Steel (Space Scientist and Author)

Popular Tags

Science

All Tags All Photos All Videos

Science

+ More Photo Galleries

July 2013: The Future Of Flight

The incredible innovations, like drone swarms and perpetual flight, bringing aviation into the world of tomorrow. Plus: today's greatest sci-fi writers predict the future, the science behind the summer's biggest blockbusters, a Doctor Who-themed DIY 'bot, the organs you can do without, and much more.