Last year, some fragments of a rare meteorite fell in India. According to the researchers, a meteorite that crashed in Gujarat has been identified as a rare aubrite originating from a greatly reduced and distinct parent body in our solar system. What is particularly intriguing to them is that this uncommon element exhibits distinct characteristics of the highly reducing conditions present on Mercury’s surface. This discovery could be important for gaining knowledge about the secrets of planetary processes.
On August 17, 2022, meteorite fragments fell on farmland in the villages of Rantila and Ravel in Diyodar Taluka in Banaskantha district, Gujarat. Called the Diyodar meteorite, the researchers noted that the impact did not make any visible tracks but caused a loud noise. noise like the sound of an airplane. Impact occurs on soft, clay soils in the area.
The results of the study have been published in the journal Current Science that suggests that analysis of the meteorite fragments shows that they have a regolith-like appearance and are nearly identical in both regions. This indicates that the debris most likely belongs to a single meteorite that broke apart as it passed through the Earth’s atmosphere. However, this is the second aubrite cascade reported in India, after the Bustee Falls in 1852 at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
“The similar and unique features of the strongly reducing conditions on the surfaces of Mercury and aubrite often suggest that enstatite meteorites are potential geological and geochemical analogues of the planet Mars. Thuy, although we don’t have any known Mercurian models in our collection,” the study added. Therefore, this will be very important to understand future planetary processes.
What is aubrite?
NASA explains that aubrites are a unique group of meteorites that formed on small planet with the escape of oxygen. Aubrites are a distinct type of meteorite that is rich in enstatite and is thought to be of internal origin small planet belt. They are formed under strongly reduced conditions and are characterized by a very low ability to flee oxygen.
