"Boomerang Meteorite: Earth's First Returning Space Rock"

1 min read
Source: Space.com
"Boomerang Meteorite: Earth's First Returning Space Rock"
Photo: Space.com
TL;DR Summary

A reddish-brown stone found in the Sahara desert in Morocco may be the first meteorite to have left Earth and returned. The rock, named Northwest Africa 13188 (NWA 13188), has a chemical composition similar to volcanic rocks on Earth but with some elements altered by cosmic rays in space. Scientists believe it was flung into space by an asteroid impact around 10,000 years ago and spent thousands of years in orbit before re-entering Earth's atmosphere. However, further investigation is needed to confirm its origin and age.

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