meteoritics (redirected from Meteoriticist)

meteoritics

Study of the chemistry and mineralogy of meteorite samples that have been collected on Earth and of meteors as they pass through Earth's atmosphere. These studies provide information about the age of meteorites, the conditions under which they formed, where they come from, and the geological history of their bodies of origin, including comets, asteroids, Mars, and the Moon. The field of study is especially important for understanding the early history and evolution of the solar system.