Earth’s Hidden Time Capsules: What Meteorites Tell Us About the Solar System

Imagine holding a rock that’s older than Earth itself— a piece of the universe created billions of years ago. 

These rocks, called meteorites, are more than just space debris. They’re like time capsules, holding clues about how our planet and life began.

Meteorites come from asteroids, comets, and even other planets. They travel millions of miles before landing on Earth. Some, like carbonaceous chondrites, contain amino acids—the building blocks of life. This makes scientists wonder: did meteorites help start life on Earth? Others, like iron meteorites, show what the cores of ancient planets were like, helping us understand Earth’s insides.

Meteorites also tell amazing stories. For example, in 2013, a meteor exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, with the force of 30 atomic bombs. It was a reminder of how closely connected Earth is to space.

Today, missions like NASA’s OSIRIS-REx are bringing back samples from asteroids to study. These missions help us learn more about how planets form and evolve.

Next time you look up at the stars, remember that pieces of space are right here on Earth, waiting to be discovered. Meteorites remind us that Earth is part of something much bigger.

What secrets could the next meteorite reveal? Could it teach us more about where life came from?

Have you ever seen or held a meteorite? If you could, what question would you ask the universe?