Astronomers have been disinterested in the study of meteors for centuries, likening them to an atmospheric phenomenon similar to lightning. It was only at the end of the 18th century…
From Dust to Meteorite
Meteors and meteorites are two nouns which in fact define the same interplanetary object, with the difference that the second reaches the ground, as we explained in the page dedicated…
Where do the cosmogenic nuclides found in certain meteorites come from? As we have explained, the first source of nuclides are cosmic rays. Their properties show that they can in…
As well as we have explained, scientists are studying meteorites for information on the events that occurred during the birth and the primordial evolution of the solar system. The theory…
Interpretation of Measures
Getting values and understanding their meaning and in particular determining the exact age of a rock since its solidification involves very good knowledge of the subject. The sources of errors…
Cosmogenic Nuclide Productions
In terms of nuclear reactions, two mechanisms make it possible to produce cosmogenic nuclides: The spallation The muonic capture The high-energy galactic cosmic rays (between 1 GeV for a helion…
Metamorphism and Age
In addition to long-life radionuclides, a number of short-life radionuclides were present in the primitive solar system. Most of them have half-lives below a few million years. They have been…