Building blocks of the solar system

Part of Hall of Meteorites.

B.7.2 Building blocks of the solar system hero

In the early solar system, orbiting bodies often collided powerfully—as certain meteorites reveal.

In This Section

Exhibit Allende (AMNH 4884) The dark clump in the middle of this fragment of Allende predates the surrounding material. Exhibit Portales Valley The parent body of Portales Valley was hit at least twice by other planetesimals. Exhibit Paragould The force of an impact between planetesimals was often strong enough to pulverize rock. Exhibit Rose City The most forceful collisions in the early solar system contained enough energy to melt portions of the planetesimals. Exhibit Naryilco The force of an impact between planetesimals was often strong enough to pulverize rock. Exhibit Chico The most forceful collisions in the early solar system contained enough energy to melt portions of the planetesimals.