A Very Rare Space Rock Fell in Germany—and Scientists Recovered the Pieces
Discovery of a Rare Aubrite Meteorite
On January 21, 2024, a three-foot-long asteroid named 2024 BX1 entered Earth’s atmosphere, creating a blazing fireball that was visible across much of Europe. The asteroid crashed to the ground near Berlin, Germany, and scientists quickly arrived on the scene to recover and classify the fragments.
To their surprise, the fragments were identified as an aubrite, a rare type of meteorite that only 80 of 70,000 previously found meteorite fragments have been classified as. Aubrites are named after the first known meteorite of this type, which fell in 1836 near the village of Aubres in France.
Challenges in Identifying Aubrites
Unlike most meteorites, which have a thin crust of black glass, aubrites do not appear glossy or dark in color. Instead, they resemble gray granite, making them difficult to detect in the field. As a result, meteorite hunters had to scour the area near Berlin for fragments of the asteroid, which proved to be a challenging task.
Importance of the Discovery
The discovery of the aubrite meteorite in Germany is significant for several reasons. First, it provides scientists with fresh material to study, which can help them better understand the origin of aubrites. Second, the accurate orbit of the asteroid 2024 BX1 can help researchers determine where it came from.
Potential Origins of Aubrites
The origin of aubrites is still a mystery, but scientists have proposed several candidates. One possibility is the Nysa asteroid family, a group of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Another candidate is asteroid 3103 Eger, which is located in the asteroid belt. A third possibility is the planet Mercury.
Mercury as a Potential Source
While Mercury is a potential source of aubrites, some astronomers find it unlikely in this case. The calculated orbit of 2024 BX1 suggests that it came from outside of Earth’s orbit, which would make it difficult for it to have come directly from Mercury. However, it is possible that Mercury may have indirectly projected aubrites to the asteroid belt long ago, and one of these may have made its way to Earth.
Scientific Value of the Discovery
The fragments of the 2024 BX1 aubrite meteorite will be invaluable for scientific research. By studying these fragments, scientists hope to learn more about the formation of the solar system and the origin of meteorites. The discovery of this rare meteorite is a testament to the importance of meteorite research and the potential for new discoveries to shed light on the mysteries of our universe.
