Meteoritical

Meteoritical refers to meteoritics, the science of meteorites and related cosmic materials. It covers the study of their origin, formation, and evolution, and contributes to understanding the early solar system, planetary differentiation, and space weathering. The term "meteoritical" is used as an adjective describing things pertaining to meteoritics.

The central professional community is the international Meteoritical Society, which promotes meteorite research, coordinates auxiliary research networks, and organizes conferences. The society also provides oversight for the scientific nomenclature of meteorites and publishes the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science.

Meteorites are typically classified into chondritic and non-chondritic types, including carbonaceous chondrites, ordinary chondrites, achondrites, iron meteorites, and stony irons, with samples from Moon, Mars, and asteroids reported. Studies of meteorites reveal information about the early solar system, planetary formation, and cosmic materials delivered to Earth.

Research methods include petrography, electron microscopy, mineralogy, spectroscopy, isotopic dating (Pb-Pb, Ar-Ar, U-Pb), cosmogenic nuclide analysis, and isotopic systematics to determine ages and histories. Meteorite studies rely on space materials to date events and to test cosmochemical models. The field intersects with planetary science, astronomy, geology, and cosmochemistry.