Meteorite Marvel: Berlin Impact Reveals Rare Aubrite Composition
On January 21, 2024, a peculiar event captured the attention of scientists and enthusiasts alike when meteorites fell near Berlin, leaving many baffled by their unusual appearance. Now, after thorough investigation and collaboration, researchers have identified these enigmatic space rocks as belonging to a rare class known as “aubrites.”
The confirmation of this classification sheds light on the nature of these meteorites, which initially proved challenging to locate due to their deceptive resemblance to terrestrial rocks. Dr. Peter Jenniskens, a meteor astronomer from the SETI Institute, described the difficulty encountered during the search, highlighting the pivotal role of close inspection in discerning their extraterrestrial origin.
Guided by insights from meteor astronomers and utilizing advanced trajectory predictions, Jenniskens and his team embarked on a mission to scour the fields near Berlin. Despite initial setbacks, they eventually succeeded in identifying the meteorites, thanks in part to the guidance of a Polish meteorite hunting team.
The meteorites are fragments of asteroid 2024 BX1, which was first detected by astronomers at Konkoly Observatory in Hungary. The meticulous tracking and prediction efforts by NASA’s Scout and ESA’s Meerkat Asteroid Guard systems, coupled…
