New Meteorite Discovery Reveals Evidence of Giant Protoplanet
Rare meteorite provides evidence of giant early planet
Image: University Of Colorado Boulder
A meteorite named NWA 12774, discovered in the Sahara Desert, provides the first definitive evidence of a massive protoplanet that existed 4.5 billion years ago. Scientists found that this body, possibly comparable to the moon or Mars, had a unique geological makeup, challenging existing theories on planetary formation.
- 01NWA 12774 is an angrite meteorite, one of only 68 discovered on Earth, formed shortly after the solar system began.
- 02The meteorite contains high levels of aluminum-rich clinopyroxene, indicating formation under extreme pressure of at least 17.5 kilobars.
- 03Calculations suggest the protoplanet's size was likely over 1,800 kilometers in radius, comparable to Earth's moon.
- 04The unique chemistry of angrites indicates a different evolutionary path for the protoplanet compared to Earth and Mars.
- 05The fate of this protoplanet remains unknown, but it may have shattered and contributed materials to the formation of other terrestrial planets.
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Research published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters reveals that the NWA 12774 meteorite, found in the Sahara Desert, is evidence of a massive protoplanet that existed around 4.5 billion years ago. This body, potentially as large as the moon or Mars, challenges existing theories about planetary evolution. The meteorite, classified as an angrite, is exceptionally rare, with only 68 known specimens on Earth. It contains high levels of clinopyroxene, a mineral indicating formation under extreme pressures of at least 17.5 kilobars, suggesting it originated from a large celestial body rather than a small asteroid. The findings imply that the protoplanet may have had a radius exceeding 1,800 kilometers, indicating a distinct evolutionary path compared to Earth and Mars. The exact cause of the protoplanet's destruction remains uncertain, but it likely contributed to the building blocks of other terrestrial planets.
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