stonyironmeteoriitit

Stony iron meteorites are a group of meteorites that are composed of roughly equal parts iron-nickel metal and silicate minerals. This composition makes them visually distinct from stony meteorites, which are primarily silicate, and iron meteorites, which are almost entirely metal. Stony irons are considered among the rarest types of meteorites, making up only about 1-2% of all observed falls.

There are two main types of stony iron meteorites: pallasites and mesosiderites. Pallasites are characterized by large, well-formed olivine crystals embedded within a matrix of iron-nickel. The olivine crystals often give pallasites a beautiful, gem-like appearance, and the interplay between the metal and the crystals is striking. Mesosiderites, on the other hand, have a more chaotic texture. They consist of angular fragments of silicate minerals and metal that are interspersed throughout the meteorite. The silicates in mesosiderites are typically a mixture of pyroxene and plagioclase, along with olivine.

The formation of stony iron meteorites is believed to have occurred in the cores or mantle-core boundaries of differentiated asteroids. The Pallasites are thought to have formed at the boundary between the metallic core and the silicate mantle, where molten metal and silicates mixed. Mesosiderites are believed to have formed from the brecciation and mixing of asteroid fragments, possibly due to impacts. Their rarity and unique composition make them of significant scientific interest for understanding the early solar system and the processes that occurred within asteroids.