Murchison meteorite

Murchison is a CM2 chondrite, which fell on 28 September 1969 in Victoria, Australia. Approximately 100 kg were recovered in material of this meteorite.

Murchison carbonaceous chondrite is a very primitive and therefore particularly interesting for research, since the material of Murchison is one of the most primitive materials in our solar system, which is available. Accordingly, he often was investigated. In this meteorite much organic compounds have been discovered, including amino acids that are important for biological processes, diamino discussed as precursor of the first genetic material on the ground and even fullerenes. This was the first detection of amino acids in extraterrestrial material. Here was also important that the fragments were collected soon after the observed event, so that contamination with earthen material was largely prevented.

In addition, eleven different minerals and their varieties could be detected in this meteorite. For the mineral Murchisit the meteorite is also considered a type locality and was named after this. Other mineral finds are chromite, diamond, eskolaite, graphite, iron, kamacite, olivine, schreibersite, various Serpentine and Tochilinite.