Winchcombe Meteorite's Harsh Space Odyssey Unveiled Through Advanced Analysis

Recent studies reveal the meteorite's repeated fragmentation and reassembly due to impacts and water alteration.

Intensive analysis of the Winchcombe meteorite shows it was broken apart and reformed multiple times during its journey through space.
The meteorite, recovered hours after landing in Gloucestershire in 2021, is a well-preserved example of CM carbonaceous chondrites.
Researchers employed cutting-edge techniques like electron microscopy and atom probe tomography to study the meteorite.
Findings suggest the meteorite's parent asteroid was rich in water and carbon dioxide, influencing its chemical composition.
The study provides insights into the early solar system's processes, potentially explaining the origins of Earth's water.