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How stony-iron meteorites form

A scientific team has successfully simulated the formation of pallasites, a type of stony-iron meteorite, on an experimental basis. The experiments confirmed that both partial separation of core and mantle, and subsequent impact of another celestial body, are required for their formation.

Rare meteorites created in violent celestial collision

A new study in Science reveals pallasites, space gems with iron-nickel matrices and translucent olivine crystals, were formed from a smaller asteroid crashing into a planet-like body 30 times smaller than Earth. The research team used advanced techniques to determine the parent body's radius and classify it as a protoplanet.