Meteorite Classification

A meteorite is a solid object found on Earth's surface after it enters earth's atmosphere from interplanetary space. Meteorites are either observed "falls", or were found some time after they fell, i.e., "finds". Meteorites are classified into different types based on their mineral composition, textures, the presence or absence of chondrules, and other criteria. Chondritic meteorites, or "chondrites" are from parent bodies (asteroids) that never formed metal-rich cores. They contain many rock-forming elements in the same ratios as observed in the Sun's photosphere. "Achondrites" include irons (many from ancient planetary cores), rocks from the Moon, Mars, and Vesta, and meteorites that are not chondrites.

AMNH Meteorite Collection organized by their Type classification.

 

CC Carbonaceous chondrites

 

  • CI1, Ivuna group
  • CM2, Mighei group
  • CR2, Renazzo group
  • CO3, Ornans group
  • CV3, Vigarano group
  • CK4 to CK6, Karoonda group

 

EC Enstatite chondrites

 

  • EH3 to EH5, EH group
  • EL3 to EL6, EL group

 

OC Ordinary chondrites 

 

KC Kakangari chondrites

 

  • K3, Kakangari group

 

PA Primitive achondrites

 

  • ACA, Acapulcoites
  • BRA, Brachinites
  • WIN, Winonaites

 

AC Achondrites

 

  • ANG, Angrites
  • AUB, Aubrites
  • CHA, Chassignites
  • DIO, Diogenites
  • EUC, Eucrites
  • C EUC, Cumulate eucrites
  • P EUC, Polymict eucrites
  • HOW, Howardites
  • NAK, Nakhlites
  • SHE, Shergottites
  • URE, Ureilites
  • P URE, Polymict ureilites

 

SI Stony-iron

 

  • CR CL, CR clan chondrite-related
  • MES, Mesosiderites
  • PAL, Pallasites
  • ES PAL, Eagle station pallasite subgroup
  • PX PAL, Pyroxene pallasite subgroup

 

Irons 

Additional notes for the catalog:

UNGR = Ungrouped

UNCL = Unclassified

AN = Anomalous

***= On exhibit in museum

"Meteorite Name" = Informal name used until an official one is given by the Meteorite Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society.