News
June 2024
Eos is a science news magazine that published an article on the Winchcombe meteorite following the release of a new paper led by Dr. Daly at the University of Glasgow. Eos' science writer Damond Benningfield reached out to Dr. Jennifer Mitchell for a few comments on this new study as she was part of the research team in her previous role at the University of Plymouth, UK.
The Winchcombe meteorite records a surprisingly complicated history and might help researchers understand one of the big questions in planetary science: how did Earth get all its water?
Link to article: "A Splashy Meteorite Was Forged in Multiple Collisions"
April 2024
The first meteorite classification submitted to the Meteoritical Society Nomenclature Committee as part of the UMin repository has been approved and named Northwest Africa (NWA) 16314. This meteorite was brought for classification by C. Zlimen of Minnesota Meteorites LLC on behalf of the owners M. Lyon and E. McFadden.
NWA 16314 is L5 chondrite and has a total mass of 6.2kg. The type specimen held in the UMin repository weighs 86g.
A number of other meteorites were submitted for approval at the same time, and we look forwards to getting their official names!
March 2024
The University of Minnesota has been approved as an official meteorite repository, designated "UMin", by the Meteoritical Society and is the 23rd repository in the USA. This means that we are able to classify new meteorites and retain the type specimens at the University. Not only can we provide a safe home for our fascinating meteorite samples, we can help share material with the scientific community to continue the ongoing efforts to understand the early Solar System and the evolution of planets.
November 2023
Following a flash of light and a boom in Beltrami county, Kiya Edwards of Kare11 came to talk to Dr Jennifer Mitchell about meteorites in her lab. Although this incident wasn't a meteor, we had a great time talking about space and sharing the amazing meteorites that we have at the University.
June 2023
Most rocks brought to us to identify are terrestrial (from Earth), but sometimes we get lucky! In an unusual turn of events, two people who purchased some rocks at an estate sale ended up with 3.2kg (7lb) iron meteorite. A sample has been sent off for classification and we look forwards to learning more about this meteorite, which we propose should be named "Middle River".
