"We found that meteorites have a 'Goldilocks' zone when it comes to their shape," said lead author Dr. Sarah Hörst of the University of California, Berkeley. "If the meteorite is too small or too large, or if it formed in the wrong conditions, it will not have a well-defined shape, instead being rounded and less likely to survive atmospheric entry. But if its size, composition, and formation conditions are just right, it can develop a distinct shape."
The researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing a variety of meteorites that fell to Earth. They found that meteorites that were the right size and had the right composition could develop different shapes depending on the conditions under which they formed.
For example, meteorites that formed in magma oceans tended to be round, while meteorites that formed in subduction zones tended to have more angular shapes. The researchers also found that meteorites that formed in low-gravity environments could develop very different shapes than meteorites that formed in high-gravity environments.
The findings of this study can inform scientists' understanding of where and how meteorites formed as well as how they travel through space.
The study also has implications for future missions to collect meteorites. By understanding the factors that affect meteorite shape, scientists can better target meteorites that are more likely to have survived atmospheric entry and landed intact.
