Meteorites are fragments of rocks or metal that have fallen to Earth from outer space. Most of them originate from asteroids, but some come from other sources, such as the Moon or Mars. However, there is one meteorite that has a very unusual origin: it came from Earth itself.
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Meteorite NWA 13188(Artificial Illustration) |
NWA 13188 is a rare type of meteorite called an impactite. It was formed when a large asteroid or comet collided with Earth about 600 million years ago, creating a huge crater and ejecting massive amounts of material into orbit. Some of this material eventually fell back to Earth as meteorites, while some remained in space for a long time.
NWA 13188 was one of the latter. It orbited the Sun for millions of years, until it encountered another asteroid that changed its trajectory. This caused it to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in 2018, landing in the Sahara desert. It was discovered by a team of meteorite hunters who recognized its unusual appearance and composition.
NWA 13188 is a breccia, which means it is composed of different types of rocks that have been fused together by heat and pressure. It contains fragments of basalt, granite, quartz, and other minerals that are typical of Earth's crust. It also contains traces of water and organic molecules that indicate it was once part of a living planet.
NWA 13188 is a remarkable example of how the solar system is constantly changing and recycling its materials. It also shows how Earth has been affected by cosmic events throughout its history. NWA 13188 is not only a meteorite, but also a piece of our own planet that has returned home after a long journey.