Frequently Asked Questions

Most meteorites were formed in the main Asteroid Belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids generally follow nearly circular orbits separated by millions of miles. Occasionally, outside forces such as the gravitational pulls of larger bodies lead to collisions with other asteroids, sending them into less stable orbits. For some asteroid fragments, orbital changes bring them into collision courses with larger bodies, including Earth.

Meteorites are extraterrestrial rocks that have fallen to Earth. They are the only geological samples that preserve records of the earliest events in the history of our solar system. Minerals such as pyroxene, olivine, nickel and iron are common components of many meteorites. Scientists classify meteorites based on their chemical composition and structure.