The truth is out there, in pictures.

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #40 on:** 28/01/2009 05:02:25 »

Quote from: CosmicAudioChic on 28/01/2009 03:28:25

Yes, I am an astronomer!

What are you into these days?

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #41 on:** 28/01/2009 05:17:30 »

At the moment,I am studying meteorites and am preparing for a summer research project involving meteorite impacts on the Moon.

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #42 on:** 28/01/2009 05:22:58 »

Well, I know absolutely nothing about meteorites! [

]
But if you wish to enlighten me, I will be happy to listen! [

]

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #43 on:** 28/01/2009 05:37:08 »

Anything specific you want to know? I will do my best to answer. Personally, I think meteorites are cool. Rocks from outer space, older than Earth, that traveled billions of miles to get here... [8D]

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #44 on:** 28/01/2009 05:43:16 »

Umm... what are their composition?
To be honest I have no idea! What are you researching? What is there to research (no offense intended, I just have no idea [:I])?

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #45 on:** 28/01/2009 06:06:24 »

Meteorites are classified into three basic categories: irons, stones, and stony irons.
Iron meteorites, or “irons”, are actually a combination of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Iron is the predominant metal, with 5% up to 50% nickel, and a trace of cobalt.
Stone meteorites, also called “stony meteorites” or stones,are mostly believed to be material from the crust and mantle of asteroids. A few stony meteorites are thought to be from comets. Stone meteorites contain approximately 75% to 90% silicate materials, such as olivine and pyroxene.
Stony–iron meteorites, or stony–irons, are mixtures of silicates and iron–nickel in roughly equal proportions(stony-irons are rare).

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #46 on:** 28/01/2009 06:16:25 »

Researching meteorite impacts on the Moon will help decide where to land future space missions, and where to build a space station on the surface.

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #47 on:** 28/01/2009 06:32:20 »

What is the definition of a 'meteorite'? How big or small do these things have to be until they are called a meteorite?

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #48 on:** 28/01/2009 07:11:10 »

A meteorite is a meteor that survives the intense heat of atmospheric friction and reaches the earth's surface. So, as long as it reaches the surface, size does not matter [

]

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #49 on:** 28/01/2009 07:18:27 »

Yes, of course [:I], I don't know what I was thinking then [:I] Where do all these meteorites that hit the moon come from? Our own Solar System?

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #50 on:** 28/01/2009 08:28:19 »

Yes, from our Solar System.The vast majority of meteorites are fragments of shattered asteroids.A small number of meteorites are pieces of rock from the surfaces of other planets.Meteorites might also come from comets.

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #51 on:** 28/01/2009 08:38:33 »

The funny thing is, I am actually watching the movie "Meteor" right now!!! [

][

]

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #52 on:** 29/01/2009 05:34:33 »

hehe too funny!

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #53 on:** 29/01/2009 05:38:04 »

What is that picture?

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #54 on:** 29/01/2009 05:39:23 »

more galactic cannibalism!

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #55 on:** 29/01/2009 05:42:22 »

Quote from: CosmicAudioChic on 28/01/2009 08:28:19

Yes, from our Solar System.The vast majority of meteorites are fragments of shattered asteroids.A small number of meteorites are pieces of rock from the surfaces of other planets.Meteorites might also come from comets.

How do asteroids/comets form?

CosmicAudioChic · « **Reply #56 on:** 29/01/2009 05:52:23 »

Comets, asteroids, and meteors are often grouped together since they are all basically the same thing: small pieces of rock and/or ice that aren't part of a major planet.
Asteroids are made of rocky and/or iron-nickel material and most are found in an orbit between Mars and Jupiter. Comets come from two places in the Solar System: the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt.

Vern · « **Reply #57 on:** 29/01/2009 21:58:39 »

Quote from: CosmicAudioChic on 28/01/2009 08:28:19

Yes, from our Solar System.The vast majority of meteorites are fragments of shattered asteroids.A small number of meteorites are pieces of rock from the surfaces of other planets.Meteorites might also come from comets.

What amazes me is that folks can actually look at a meteorite and identify which planet it came from, or whether it is just space debris.

erickejah · « **Reply #58 on:** 12/02/2009 21:46:12 »

]
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548109/?sc=swtr;xy=5001268

DoctorBeaver · « **Reply #59 on:** 03/03/2009 16:31:28 »

This has to be my all time favourite photo from Hubble. The so-called Pillars Of Creation where stars are being formed.