Science

eppur_se_muova

(36,289 posts) Fri Jul 12, 2013, 02:24 PM Jul 2013

Russian Chelyabinsk meteorite pieces go under microscope (BBC)

Scientists have released microscopic images of fragments of the meteorite that hit central Russia in February.

A team from the Ural Federal University was able to analyse some of the dozens of samples as soon as they were found.

But the technique they used allowed them to assess the rock's chemical make-up at the microscopic level even as they snapped pictures of the fragments.

This will provide extra information on the space rock's formation and journey.

The fragments represent just a small portion of the remains of the 17m-diameter body that struck the Earth's atmosphere in a spectacular trail of light over the city of Chelyabinsk.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23284371

SPOILER ALERT:

It's a chondrite.

3 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Russian Chelyabinsk meteorite pieces go under microscope (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Jul 2013 OP

Where have all the fragments gone? jakeXT Jul 2013 #1

Most of it would be a thin aerosol probably still drifting in the upper atmosphere. (nt) Posteritatis Jul 2013 #2

My money's on private collectors -- meteorites bring big bucks. eppur_se_muova Jul 2013 #3

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)

1. Where have all the fragments gone?

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Original post)

Sat Jul 13, 2013, 05:27 PM

Jul 2013

What's remarkable about the Russian mega-meteor is how little of it has been found. According to Buhl and Wimmer, the combined mass of the submitted finds
is just 117 pounds (53 kg). Surely thousands of others small bits will never turn up, but notably the largest stone found to date tips the scale at only 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg). "Our estimate is that the current total known weight is in a range between 100 and 200 kg," says Buhl.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Chelyabinsk-Megameteor-A-Status-Report-212987401.html

Posteritatis

(18,807 posts)

2. Most of it would be a thin aerosol probably still drifting in the upper atmosphere. (nt)

Reply to jakeXT (Reply #1)

Sat Jul 13, 2013, 05:44 PM

Jul 2013

eppur_se_muova

(36,289 posts)

3. My money's on private collectors -- meteorites bring big bucks.

Reply to jakeXT (Reply #1)

Sat Jul 13, 2013, 08:28 PM

Jul 2013

Just because more fragments haven't been reported, doesn't mean they haven't been found.

I’ve been checking Chelyabinsk meteorites for sale on eBay and the few private sales I’ve been aware of. Prices range from around $35-150 per gram. As of March 21 there are 115 meteorites advertised on eBay as Chelyabinsk by everyone from first-time sellers to well-established meteorite folks. Surprisingly, most of the specimens appear to be the real thing.

http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2013/03/21/hello-world-meet-the-new-chelyabinsk-meteorite/

Reply to this discussion