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Murchison CM2 Carbonaceous
Chondrite
The Murchison meteorite fall
occurred on September 28, 1969 over Murchison, Australia. Over 100 kilograms of
this meteorite have been found. Classified as a carbonaceous chondrite, type II
(CM2), this meteorite is of possible cometary origin due to its high water
content of 12%. An abundance of amino acids found within this meteorite has led
to intense study by researchers as to its origins. More than 92 different amino
acids have been identified within the Murchison meteorite to date. Nineteen of
these are found on Earth. The remaining amino acids have no apparent
terrestrial source.
Murchison, like all
carbonaceous chondrites, is of a very primitive nature. A close look at the
dark interior shows an abundance of chondrules and CAI's (calcium aluminum
inclusions).
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