Bjurböle

Part of Hall of Meteorites.

B.2.2.6 Bjurböle. A hot topic hero.jpg

A hot topic

To create glass objects, glassblowers work at temperatures of more than 1,000°C (1,800°F). Chondrules like the ones in this tube, from another piece of the meteorite Bjurböle, contain glass-and must have formed at even higher temperatures followed by rapid cooling.

What caused the quick rise and fall in temperature that led to the formation of chondrules? Experts disagree, suggesting that solar flares, lightning or shock waves might have melted these beads. Evidence is strong, however, that chondrules formed within the solar system's first few million years.