While Most Meteorites Have Ages Around 4

question 19

Multiple Choice

While most meteorites have ages around 4.5 billion years, a small subset have ages around 1.3 billion years. What caused the substantial difference in age between these two populations of meteorites?

• A) These meteorites just happened to form later than most meteorites.
• B) Not all meteorites hit the Earth in the early Solar System. We should expect to find younger meteorites as more meteors pass through the atmosphere.
• C) The younger meteorites were created when a protoplanet collided with Earth, creating the Moon. The leftover fragments became meteorites.
• D) These meteorites were thrown into space after an impact with Mars and afterward some happened to collide with Earth.
• E) The younger ones are the result of comets repeatedly passing close to the Sun, melting their surfaces and making them appear younger.

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