Overview

• 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.