For decades, scientists have wondered: Where do most of Earth’s meteorites come from? New research finally cracks the cosmic code. 🌍💥
Three Asteroid Families Rule the Sky
Studies in Nature and Astrophysics reveal that 70% of Earth’s meteorites originate from just three asteroid groups in the solar system’s main asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter). Using simulations and asteroid family data, astronomers pinpointed the sources of thousands of space rocks:
🌌 Massalia family: Formed 40M years ago, responsible for 37% of meteorites (L chondrites).
💫 Karin & Koronis families: Linked to 33% of meteorites (H chondrites).
🪐 Remaining 8% come from Flora and Nysa asteroid groups.
The Dinosaur Connection 🦖☄️
While this study didn’t analyze the dinosaur-killing asteroid, earlier research suggests it likely formed beyond Jupiter before migrating to the asteroid belt. Meanwhile, NASA’s 2022 DART mission proved we can deflect threatening asteroids—a win for planetary defense!
What’s Still Unknown? 🔭
About 15% of meteorites remain untraced. Scientists are now sleuthing their origins, blending asteroid maps with rock chemistry. Spoiler: Only 6% come from Mars, the moon, or Vesta (a massive asteroid).
Space rocks: rewriting Earth’s story since 4.5B BCE. 🌌✨
