iron meteorite
Fallen cosmic alloy
An iron meteorite is a meteorite composed primarily of iron and nickel, representing the dense metallic cores of ancient asteroids that shattered in collisions.
They are the densest and most durable meteorites, often surviving atmospheric entry intact.
Iron meteorites are prized by collectors and scientists for their distinctive crystalline patterns revealed when cut and etched.
Sun-orbiting rocky mass
- meteoroidSmall body in space
- cometIcy orbiting body
- orbitCurved celestial path
- impactForceful contact or consequence
crater · bolide · fireball · shooting star · cosmic · celestial · solar system · asteroid belt
Element twenty-eight, or coin
- alloyMetallic combination
- ferrousRelating to iron
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- forgeFurnace for shaping metal
anvil · magnetism · conductive · corrosion · rust · dense · heavy · ductile
Individual for examination
- collectorOne who gathers items
- museumPublic exhibit space
- auctionCompetitive public sale
- provenanceRecord of ownership
authenticated · certified · rare · valuable · display · label · classification · find
Clear, ordered, brilliant
- inclusionsThings placed within
- chondriteMeteorite containing round grains
- sideriteIron carbonate mineral
- orientedPositioned toward a point
Elemental variant by mass
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- core sampleCylindrical subsurface extraction
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
accretion · protoplanet · early solar system · radiometric dating · noble gas · nucleosynthesis · geochemistry · laboratory
asteroid
Sun-orbiting rocky mass
impact · crater · bolide · fireball · shooting star · cosmic · celestial · solar system · asteroid belt · planetesimal
nickel
Element twenty-eight, or coin
forge · anvil · magnetism · conductive · corrosion · rust · dense · heavy · ductile · malleable
specimen
Individual for examination
provenance · authenticated · certified · rare · valuable · display · label · classification · find · recovery
crystalline
Clear, ordered, brilliant
- inclusionsThings placed within
- chondriteMeteorite containing round grains
- sideriteIron carbonate mineral
isotope
Elemental variant by mass
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- core sampleCylindrical subsurface extraction
differentiation · accretion · protoplanet · early solar system · radiometric dating · noble gas · nucleosynthesis · geochemistry · laboratory · research
iron meteoriteigneous rock
Crystallized molten material
sedimentary rock · metamorphic rock · volcanic rock · granite · basalt