Ep. 790: Meteorites From Other Worlds

About this episode

This episode discusses the science and significance of meteorites from other worlds.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 790: Meteorites From Other Worlds By Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay Streamed live April 17, 2026. Even though humanity has returned samples from a fraction of the worlds in the solar system, the cosmos has delivered many more without us having to lift a finger. Meteorites. We have meteorites from the Moon, Vesta and even Mars! What have we learned about these rocks from other worlds? Space missions to other worlds cost millions to billions of dollars, and if we want to know exactly where space rock samples come from, we need to spend the big bucks for sample return. But, if it's good enough to know "this rock came from somewhere on that world," space offers an amazing delivery system in the form of meteorites. Come learn about the search for, identification, and science of meteorites from other worlds. This show is supported through people like you on Patreon.com/AstronomyCast !!! In this episode, we'd like to thank: Andrew Poelstra, Burry Gowen, David, David Rossetter, Ed, Eric Lee, Gerhard Schwarzer, Jason Kwong, Jeanette Wink, Joe McTee, Michael Purcell, Sergey Manouilov, and Siggi Kemmler

People in this episode

Hosts: Fraser Cain, Dr. Pamela Gay

Topics covered

• meteorites
• space rocks
• sample return
• cosmic delivery
• planetary science

Keywords

• meteorites
• Moon
• Mars
• Vesta
• space missions
• sample return
• planetary geology

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