chondrites
Primitive space rocks
Chondrites are the most common type of meteorite, accounting for the vast majority that fall to Earth.
They contain chondrules—small, round grains of silicate minerals formed in the early solar system.
Scientists prize chondrites because their composition has remained largely unchanged for 4.5 billion years, offering a window into the solar system's origins: The meteorite was identified as a chondrite based on its mineral structure.
Small solar orbiters
- MarsRed planet, war deity
- protoplanetEarly-stage forming planet
- planetesimalsSmall accreting celestial objects
- collisionsForceful contacts between objects
Green igneous rock mineral
- pyroxeneRock-forming silicate group
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- silicatesSilicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
amphibole · biotite · clay · matrix · inclusions · sulfides · oxides
Of celestial gas clouds
- protoplanetaryPreceding planetary formation
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- planetesimalsSmall accreting celestial objects
- primitiveIn earliest form
undifferentiated · pristine · nucleosynthesis · stardust · circumstellar
Containing or composed of carbon
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- stony-ironMeteorite with both components
- brecciaCemented angular rock fragments
- CIAutomated code testing
Scientific study of rocks
- geochemistryEarth's chemical makeup science
- isotopesAtomic number twins
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
asteroids
Small solar orbiters
- MarsRed planet, war deity
- protoplanetEarly-stage forming planet
- planetesimalsSmall accreting celestial objects
collisions · impacts · fragments · ejecta · debris · bolides · fireballs
olivine
Green igneous rock mineral
- pyroxeneRock-forming silicate group
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- silicatesSilicon-oxygen bonded minerals
serpentine · amphibole · biotite · clay · matrix · inclusions · sulfides · oxides
nebular
Of celestial gas clouds
- protoplanetaryPreceding planetary formation
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- planetesimalsSmall accreting celestial objects
primitive · undifferentiated · pristine · nucleosynthesis · stardust · circumstellar
carbonaceous
Containing or composed of carbon
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- stony-ironMeteorite with both components
- brecciaCemented angular rock fragments
petrology
Scientific study of rocks
- geochemistryEarth's chemical makeup science
- isotopesAtomic number twins
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
NWA
Pioneering gangsta rap group