Chondrite

Explanation

Chondrites are a class of meteorites that are found on Earth. They are stony meteorites that are a part of larger asteroids that were formed during the planetary formation from the solar nebula. These asteroids are believed to have materials that were formed at that time. Before some parts of these asteroids could melt themselves and alter its chemical composition some rocky parts broke off as meteoroids and crashed into planets. Such meteorites are known as chondrites. On examining such meteorites, one can find silicate objects called as chondrules. Due to their chemical composition, subclasses of these meteorites are studied extensively for astrobiological organic chemistry and origins of organic life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are chondrites linked to abiogenesis?

Origin of organic life predates the origin of Earth, and there are reasons to believe that they are extraterrestrial in nature. A good explanation for life on Earth and a source that fits well into this notion are a special type of meteorite rich in carbon, called as carbonaceous chondrites. On 28th September 1969 one such meteorite fell to Earth near Murchison, Australia. On analysis, the Murchison meteorite is found to be rich in carbon compounds and had undergone extensive aqueous alteration in its parent body, with evidence suggesting the possibility of abiogenesis in it. Further analyses of other few meteorites from Antarctica, focused on such observations had shown the presence of amino acids unaltered by the Earth's terrestrial contamination. Therefore, chondrites make a good candidate to look for the traces of origins of life.