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pallasite

meteorite
Also known as: lithosiderite

Quick Summary

A pallasite is a type of stony iron meteorite, which means it contains significant amounts of both rocky material (silicates) and nickel-iron metal. These meteorites are rare, making up about 1% of all known meteorites.12

Pallasites are characterized by a nickel-iron metal matrix enclosing crystals of the silicate mineral olivine. They likely formed at the boundary between the metallic core and silicate mantle of their parent asteroid after it melted and differentiated. This unique composition makes them visually striking, often described as having a metallic network with embedded stony parts.21

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