It was
previously assumed that the types of rock of which asteroids could be made of
were limited because of their size. However, a new discovery of 2 formerly
unheard of meteorites in 2006/2007 during the ANSMET (Antarctic Search for Meteorites)
may bring to light new ideas of how asteroid form and evolve.
The samples
of asteroid were made of a feldspar-rich rock known as andesite. (Feldspar is
important in glass and ceramic industries, and many other industries used for
everyday necessities). This is the first time a sample has been found elsewhere
in the universe. This rock is in our crust and indigenous to areas like the
Andes mountains. Because of the concentration of chemicals, it is believed that
they come from a place with tectonic plates, therefore leading to the idea that
the fragment came not from an asteroid, but a planet or moon, which was later
disproved.
Most solar
system satellites have their own oxygen isotopes that distinguish one from
another. Via other scientific methods, age of meteorites can be determined –
this meteorite’s age was approximated to be more than 4.5 billions years old. This
means that crusts like Earth’s formed very early on in the birth of the solar
system.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107134526.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment