International   

Unusual meteorite found in Western Australia

London: An unusual meteorite that could reveal crucial information about the evolution of the solar system has been found in the Nullarbor desert in Western Australia.

The cricket-ball sized meteorite — Bunburra Rockhole — is an unusual type of basaltic igneous rock with a different composition suggesting it comes from an uncommon asteroid.

“The fact that this meteorite is compositionally unusual increases its value. It helps us to uncover more information about the conditions of the early solar system and how it was formed and evolved,” said Gretchen Benedix, a mineral expert at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London.

Bunburra, which was tracked to the ground using time-lapse images of fireballs recorded by a photographic observatory in Nullarbor, follows an orbit different from that of other meteorites. It began its journey as part of an asteroid in the innermost main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbit gradually evolved into one similar to Earth’s.

Other meteorites for which data exist have orbits taking them into the main asteroid belt, the Natural History Museum reported. — PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Brown proposes tax on bank transactions
Israel’s claim of weapons ship linked to Goldstone report: Iran
China expands Internet controls
One more hearing but little progress in the 26/11 case
“Opposition cashing in on Fonseka’s popularity”
Obama calls for patience, calm after Texas shooting
Unknown Chaplin in antique container
Unusual meteorite found in Western Australia
Hindus in U.K. launch ‘Bhumi Project’ to tackle climate change
Prize for space elevator model
China-Africa meet in Cairo
Scientists discover 22 distant galaxies

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu