Chondrite Collection

The Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite
Murchison fell in September 1969, in Victoria, Australia. It is rich in indigenous (i.e. not terrestrial contaminant) amino acids and other organic molecules

Wold meteorite
Watercolour of the Wold meteorite, Yorkshire by Hariet Topham, 1797. Image from Sowerby Collection

Chondrite meteorite. This is a type of stony meteorite that has not been altered by processes such as melting, and represents the original material that formed the asteroids

The Allende carbonaceous chondrite
Photograph of the Allende carbonaceous chondrite, partly covered in jet-black fusion crust. This contains numerous white inclusions called CAIs. This stone is about 10cm across

Launton Meteorite
The Launton meteorite fell on 15 February 1830 at approximately 7.30pm, Launton village in Oxfordshire. The meteorite is of the most common type of stony meteorite, known as an ordinary chondrite

Wold Cottage meteorite (detail)
The earliest surviving meteorite seen to land in the UK fell in Wold Cottage, Yorkshire, in 1795. It prompted the first serious investigation into the origin of meteorites

Wold Cottage meteorite
The earliest surviving meteorite seen to land in the UK fell in Wold Cottage, Yorkshire, in 1795. It prompted the first serious investigation into the origin of meteorites

Chondrite, a type of meteorite

Hayabusa at asteroid Itokawa, artwork C015 / 0787
Hayabusa at asteroid Itokawa. Artwork of the Hayabusa spacecraft at asteroid 25143 Itokawa in 2005. This unmanned probe was launched by the Japanese space agency (JAXA) in 2003

Stone meteorite C016 / 5870
Stone meteorite. This is a chondrite meteorite, that is it is unmelted. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Beardsley chondrite meteorite C016 / 5677
Beardsley chondrite meteorite. This is a type of stony meteorite that has not been altered by processes such as melting, and represents the original material that formed the asteroids

Chondrite meteorite C013 / 7777
Chondrite meteorite. Meteorite GRO95505 that was found in the Grosvenor Mountains, Antarctica. The exterior of this ordinary chondrite is covered with black fractured fusion crust on most of its

Chondrite meteorite C013 / 7776
Chondrite meteorite. Meteorite that has been split open to reveal its internal structure. This is meteorite GRO95544 that was found in the Grosvenor Mountains, Antarctica

Wold meteorite landing site
Pen and ink sketch showing an obelisk marking the landing site of the Wold Meteorite, Yorkshire, 1812. Image from the Sowerby Collection by Gerrit van Spaendonck

The Beardsley H5 ordinary chondrite
Beardsley fell in Kansas, U.S.A in 1929. Its fine-grained texture, with poor chondrule resolution indicate that it has experienced thermal metamorphism

The Abee EH4 enstatite chondrite
Abee fell in Canada in 1953. The cut surface clearly shows the metal-rich and brecciated texture of Abee

Vigarano CV3 chondrite
This carbonaceous chondrite meteorite fell in Italy in 1910. It has clearly delineated chondrules or small granules

Parnallee LL3. 6 ordinary chondrite
Parnallee fell in India in 1857. The cut surface clearly shows well-delineated chondrules and slightly larger clasts

Brownfield (1973) H3. 7 ordinary chondrite
This meteorite fell in Texas in 1937. It has very small chondrules, plus highly-reflective metal and sulphide grains can easily be picked out

Cold Bokkeveld meteorite photomicrograph
Thin section of the carbonaceous chondrite in the petrological microscope, showing a near circular chondrule about 1mm in diameter. The fall was in Cape Province in 1838

Stone meteorite
This meteorite is unmelted and is therefore known as a chondrite. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Microscope image of chondrite showing chondrules, typical of primitive meteorites. Horizontal field of view, 3.3mm

Optical microscope image of the Barwell (Type 6) chondrite. This meteorite has experienced a significant amount of heating

Optical microscope image of the Parnallee (Type 3) chondrite
An optical microscope image of the Parnallee (Type 3) chondrite that has experienced little heating. The chondrules are clear and well-defined. The field of view is 5mm

The Beddgelert (H5) ordinary chondrite
Photograph of the Beddgelert (H5) ordinary chondrite, clearly showing flecks of iron-nickel metal

The Parnalle ordinary chondrite
The Parnallee ordinary chondrite, part of the Parnallee meteorite that fell in India in 1857

The Barwell meteorite, showing a rock frgament formed by melting of a pre-existing planetary body; this indicates that plantesimals were present when chondrules formed

Textures of different chondrule types in the Etihudna (L4) ordinary chondrite (field of view 4mm)

Porphyritic olivine and pyroxene chondrule
Microscopic image of a porphyritic olivine and pyroxene chondrule from the Palmyra (L3) ordinary chondrite (the chondrule is about 1.8mm across)

Radial pyroxene chondrule
Microscope image of a radial pyroxene chondrule from the ALH 88036 (H3.4) ordinary chondrite. The chondrule is about 2mm across

Ivuna meteorite
The Ivuna carbonaceous chondrite. This type of meteorite is the richest in volatile elements

Siena meteorite stone
One of the stones of the Siena meteorite shower, which fell over Siena, Italy in 1794

Chergach meteorite

Meteoric Stone, Wold Cottage
One of a series of 5 postcards featuring British meteorites produced and sold by the museum in the 1920s

British Meteorites, leaflet
Leaflet printed to accompany a set of 5 postcards published by the Natural History Museum in 1922

Barred olivine chondrule from the Palmyra ordinary chondrite (the chondrule is about 1.2mm across)

Glatton meteorite
Mr Arthur Pettifor holding the Glatton meteorite which fell in Cambridgeshire on 5th May 1991

Ensisheim meteorite fragment. Piece of the Ensisheim meteorite that fell on 7th November 1492. This was the earliest recorded European meteorite

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Chondrite meteorites, such as the Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite, have captivated scientists and space enthusiasts alike with their fascinating composition and origin. These extraterrestrial rocks provide valuable insights into the early solar system's formation. One notable example is the Wold meteorite, which was discovered in Yorkshire, England. This chondrite specimen contains a wealth of information about our cosmic history. Similarly, the Wold Cottage meteorite offers a detailed glimpse into its unique structure and chemical makeup. The Launton Meteorite is another remarkable find that has intrigued researchers for decades. Its distinct features and characteristics make it an essential piece in understanding planetary evolution. Studying these chondrites allows scientists to unravel mysteries surrounding our universe's birth. By analyzing their isotopic compositions and organic compounds, researchers gain crucial knowledge about the building blocks of life on Earth. The Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite stands out among others due to its rich organic content. It contains amino acids – the fundamental components of proteins – suggesting that life's precursors may have originated from outer space. These captivating specimens remind us of our connection to the cosmos and ignite curiosity about what lies beyond our planet's boundaries. As we continue exploring celestial bodies like asteroids or comets, uncovering more chondrites will undoubtedly contribute to expanding humanity's understanding of our place in this vast universe. Chondrites like the Wold meteorite, Launton Meteorite, and Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite offer invaluable glimpses into ancient cosmic events. Their study not only sheds light on how planets formed but also provides clues about potential extraterrestrial life origins. With each new discovery comes a deeper appreciation for these extraordinary remnants from distant worlds.