stony-iron meteorite

Any of a relatively small group of meteorites containing on average 50% nickel-iron and 50% stony (mainly silicate) material. Stony irons can be subdivided into pallasites, which are composed of abundant grains of olivine (a magnesium silicate mineral) enclosed in metal, and mesosiderites, which are agglomerates of metal and silicates. See also S-type asteroids.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

stony-iron meteorite

[′stō·nē ¦ī·ərn ′mēd·ē·ə‚rīt]

(geology)

Any of the rare meteorites containing at least 25% of both nickel-iron and heavy basic silicates. Also known as iron-stony meteorite; lithosiderite; sideraerolite; siderolite; syssiderite.

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References in periodicals archive

Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate minerals; iron meteorites that are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron meteorites that contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material.

Fire in the sky: Was it a meteorite or satellite?

Stony-iron meteorites are the rarest of the three main classes.

Touching the stars without leaving home: hunting and collecting meteorites is a way you can own ancient material from outer space

Stony-iron meteorites are a 50-50 mix of metals, minerals and silicate material.

Meteors

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