Meteorites

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Study of Mukundpura Meteorite
  • It is a carbonaceous meteorite (these are the meteorites which contain carbon compounds, including organic ones and water).
  • It is one of the most primitive type of meteorite.
  • It is a rare type of meteorite as carbonaceous meteorites constitute only 3%-5% of all meteorites which fall on the Earth.
  • It contains grains of calcium and iron which date to a time before the sun came into existence.
  • It contains the evidence of having the water-bearing minerals.
  • The meteorite is believed to have the most pristine primordial matter recovered from space, which might carry important clues to the origin of early life.
Study of Natun Balijan Meteorite
  • It fell in the flood plains of Lohit River.
  • It has been classified as an ordinary chondrite.
Meteorites
  • These are the chunks of rock and metal from asteroids and other planetary bodies that survive their journey through the atmosphere and fall to the ground.
  • Most meteorites found on Earth are pebble size but some are larger than a building.
  • Early Earth experienced many large meteorite impacts that caused extensive destruction.
  • These may resemble Earth rocks, but these usually have a burned exterior.
  • This fusion crust is formed as the meteorite is melted by friction as it passes through the atmosphere.
  • These mostly originate from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Types of meteorites
  • There are three major types of meteorites:
    • Irons
    • Stones
    • Stony-irons
  • Although the majority of meteorites that fall to Earth are stony, most of the meteorites that are discovered long after they fall are irons.
  • Iron meteorites are heavy objects and are easier to distinguish from Earth rocks than stony meteorites.
  • Meteorites also fall on other solar system bodies.
Geological Survey of India (GSI)
  • It was established in 1851.
  • Its headquarters are at Kolkata.
  • It is a government organisation of India with its office attached to the Ministry of Mines for conducting geological surveys and studies.
  • Its main functions are to create and update national geo-scientific information and mineral resource assessment.
  • These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations and multi-disciplinary geo-scientific techniques.
Section : Science & Tech