✦Genuine meteorites. Clearly explained.IMCA #7379 · GMA #G0117
AustroMeteoritesby Kevin Aigner
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Knowledge & guidance

Understand meteorites simply — then go as deep as you wish.

Start with a clear basic question, choose a meteorite class or go directly to collecting and care. Every page ends with a 30-second summary and lists its sources.

31detailed, connected knowledge pages
01

Foundations

The essential terms and processes, clearly explained.

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Types & classes

From the classification tree to rare groups and planetary meteorites.

See topics ↓03

Collecting & care

Authenticity, preservation and a responsible first step.

See topics ↓
View the classification treeOptional: major classes and important groups at a glance+

06 articles

Foundations

The essential terms and processes, clearly explained.

Example image: What is a meteorite?01

What is a meteorite?

A natural piece of rock or metal from space that reached the ground.

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Example image: Meteoroid, meteor and meteorite02

Meteoroid, meteor and meteorite

Three terms for different stages of one cosmic journey.

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Example image: Where do meteorites come from?03

Where do meteorites come from?

Most originate from asteroids; a small number are demonstrably lunar or Martian.

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Example image: Witnessed fall and find04

Witnessed fall and find

A fall was observed during its arrival; a find was discovered later.

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Example image: Fusion crust05

Fusion crust

A thin surface layer formed during atmospheric flight.

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Example image: Chondrules and CAIs06

Chondrules and CAIs

Ancient components that illuminate the early Solar System.

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19 articles

Types & classes

From the classification tree to rare groups and planetary meteorites.

Example image: How meteorites are classified01

How meteorites are classified

Mineralogy, texture, chemistry and isotopes place meteorites into classes and groups.

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Example image: Stony meteorites02

Stony meteorites

Silicate-rich meteorites that include chondrites and achondrites.

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Example image: Chondrites03

Chondrites

Primitive stony meteorites whose parent bodies were not completely melted.

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Example image: Ordinary chondrites04

Ordinary chondrites

The most common chondrite family, divided into H, L and LL groups.

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Example image: Carbonaceous chondrites05

Carbonaceous chondrites

A diverse family of primitive chondrites with several chemical groups.

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Example image: Enstatite chondrites06

Enstatite chondrites

Rare, highly reduced chondrites with enstatite-rich mineralogy.

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Example image: Achondrites07

Achondrites

Stony meteorites without chondrules, shaped by melting and recrystallisation.

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Example image: HED meteorites08

HED meteorites

Howardites, eucrites and diogenites form a major achondrite family, generally linked to Vesta.

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Example image: Aubrites09

Aubrites

Light-coloured, enstatite-rich achondrites from highly reducing igneous conditions.

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Example image: Angrites10

Angrites

Very rare basaltic achondrites from the earliest era of planetary differentiation.

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Example image: Ureilites11

Ureilites

Carbon-bearing achondrites, usually rich in olivine and pigeonite.

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Example image: Lunar meteorites12

Lunar meteorites

Rock ejected from the Moon by impacts and later delivered to Earth.

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Example image: Martian meteorites13

Martian meteorites

Igneous rocks from Mars launched into space by large impacts.

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Example image: Iron meteorites14

Iron meteorites

Metal-rich meteorites composed predominantly of iron-nickel alloys.

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Example image: Widmanstätten patterns15

Widmanstätten patterns

Geometric metal textures produced by extremely slow cooling.

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Example image: Stony-iron meteorites16

Stony-iron meteorites

Meteorites containing substantial silicate minerals and iron-nickel metal.

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Example image: Pallasites17

Pallasites

Olivine crystals in an iron-nickel matrix define these stony-iron meteorites.

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Example image: Mesosiderites18

Mesosiderites

Brecciated stony-iron meteorites made from mixed crustal material and metal.

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Example image: What are tektites?19

What are tektites?

Natural terrestrial glass from the ejecta of large impacts — not meteorites.

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06 articles

Collecting & care

Authenticity, preservation and a responsible first step.

Example image: Weathering grade and shock stage01

Weathering grade and shock stage

Two separate descriptors: alteration on Earth and impact metamorphism in space.

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Example image: Orientation and regmaglypts02

Orientation and regmaglypts

Shapes and depressions that can develop during atmospheric ablation.

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Example image: Authenticity and documentation03

Authenticity and documentation

A robust identification rests on analysis, provenance and traceable records.

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Example image: Meteoritical Bulletin Database04

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

The authoritative international database for officially recognised meteorites and their classifications.

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Example image: Storage and care05

Storage and care

Dry, stable and clearly labelled storage preserves both specimens and their history.

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Example image: Your first meteorite06

Your first meteorite

A clearly classified, well-documented specimen is the best beginning.

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