For readers who want the full picture
Detailed explanation
The main metal phases are kamacite and taenite. Many iron meteorites are interpreted as material from the cores of differentiated small bodies, though not every group shares the same history.
Chemical groups use trace elements and nickel abundance, while structural classes describe texture.
- Main constituents
- iron · nickel · cobalt
Visible structures
After cutting, polishing and etching, suitable nickel contents may reveal Widmanstätten patterns. Their absence does not automatically make a specimen inauthentic.
Chemical groups and parent bodies
Iron meteorites are divided into chemical groups using nickel and trace elements such as gallium, germanium and iridium. Members share characteristic trends and probably came from the same or closely related parent bodies.
Many groups crystallised in metallic cores of differentiated asteroids. Others, especially certain non-magmatic groups, record more complex mixing and impact histories.
Structural classes
Octahedrites often reveal Widmanstätten patterns after suitable preparation. Hexahedrites are dominated by kamacite and may show Neumann lines; ataxites are richer in nickel and lack a coarse classic Widmanstätten pattern.
These terms describe metal texture. They do not replace chemical grouping and by themselves say nothing about the authenticity of an unprepared specimen.
Short & simple
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Metal-rich meteorites composed predominantly of iron-nickel alloys.
- The main metal phases are kamacite and taenite. Many iron meteorites are interpreted as material from the cores of differentiated small bodies, though not every group shares the same history.
- Chemical groups use trace elements and nickel abundance, while structural classes describe texture.
Sources & editorial note
Sources & databases
Editorially paraphrased prefill, reviewed 12 August 2026. The linked sources support further specialist verification.