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meteorite

(Encyclopedia)meteorite, meteor that survives the intense heat of atmospheric friction and reaches the earth's surface. Because of the destructive effects of this friction, only the very largest meteors become mete...

tektite

(Encyclopedia)tektite tĕktīt [key], naturally occurring, silica-rich (65%–80% SiO2) glass resembling obsidian and sometimes shale, and is normally jet black to olive green. They appear as small rounded or elong...

exobiology

(Encyclopedia)exobiology or astrobiology, search for extraterrestrial life within the solar system and throughout the universe. Philosophical speculation that there might be other worlds similar to ours dates back ...

crater

(Encyclopedia)crater, circular, bowl-shaped depression on the earth's surface. (For a discussion of lunar craters, see moon.) Simple craters are bowl-shaped with a raised outer rim. Complex craters have a raised ce...

Greensburg

(Encyclopedia)Greensburg. 1 City (2020 pop. 14,976), seat of Westmoreland co., SW Pa.; settled c.1770, inc. as a city 1928. Located in a coal area, the city ...

chondrite

(Encyclopedia)chondrite: see meteorite.

siderolite

(Encyclopedia)siderolite: see meteorite.

Widmanstätten figures

(Encyclopedia)Widmanstätten figures: see meteorite. ...

aerolite

(Encyclopedia)aerolite ârˈəlītˌ [key]: see meteorite. ...

York, Cape

(Encyclopedia)York, Cape, NW Greenland, in N Baffin Bay, W of Melville Bay. The Cape York meteorites were discovered by U.S. explorer Robert E. Peary, who brought the largest (c.100 tons) to the American Mus. of Na...