Researchers discovered the origin of 70% of meteorites

An international team of scientists has managed to identify the origin of 70% of all known meteorites. The discovery suggests that these meteorites originate from three young asteroid families formed by recent collisions in the main asteroid belt.

According to Tekna Technology Media’s astronomy news service, based on this research, three major collisions in the asteroid belt occurred 5.8, 7.5, and about 40 million years ago, respectively. These collisions have scattered large chunks of asteroids that eventually became new asteroid families. Scientists have found that three families of young asteroids, Carin, Coronis and Massalia, contribute the most to the formation of meteorites. In particular, the Massalia family alone accounts for 37% of all known meteorites.

Young asteroid families contain many small fragments due to recent collisions. Due to their fast movement and multiple collisions, these fragments have a higher probability of leaving the asteroid belt and entering the Earth’s atmosphere. To reach this discovery, scientists used a combination of telescopic observations, computer simulations and chemical analysis of meteorites. This method has allowed them to map the family tree of meteorites and asteroids and identify the origin of many of them.

This research not only helps to better understand the origin of meteorites, but also allows scientists to trace the origin of large and dangerous asteroids. This information is very important for designing space missions and protecting the Earth from asteroid impacts. Despite this great progress, 10% of meteorites still have an unknown origin. Scientists plan to answer this question by focusing on younger asteroid families.

This discovery shows that the history of asteroid collisions played a very important role in the formation of the solar system and the arrival of meteorites on Earth. By continuing research in this field, scientists will gain a deeper understanding of the origin and evolution of the solar system.

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