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Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –
A meteorite stones supposedly fell at North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, in early August 2020. The meteor struck a house belonging to Josua Hutagalung.
The stone from the meteorite that damaged the roof of Josua’s house is known to have been sold to foreigners for 200 million rupees. Later, the meteor was sold for more than Rs 20 billion on the internet because it was classified as a CM 1-2 chondrite meteorite.
The researcher at the Institute of Aviation and Space (LAPAN), Rhorom Priyatikanto, explained that a meteor is a rock from space that burns in the atmosphere. Meanwhile, meteorites are meteorites that come to Earth and meet.
He said that meteors can contain metallic minerals like iron oxide, nickel, magnesium, manganese, as well as rock minerals like silicates.
“The levels vary so that we can do meteor classes,” Rhorom told CNNIndonesia.com, Thursday (11/19).
Regarding the CM 1-2 chondrite meteorite, Rhorom said it contains about 20 percent iron and 25 percent silicate (as glass / sand). The precious metal or earth metal content is very small in this type of meteorite.
In material terms, Rhrorom said the meteor could be considered less valuable. However, chondrite-type meteors are not as differentiated as rocks on earth.
“In other words, there are still indications that these meteors still contain information about the solar system’s past. This is what makes these meteors valuable from a scientific perspective,” he said.
In addition, Rhorom said the potential danger from meteor fall was very small. First, many meteors are small and burn up in the atmosphere. Second, the distribution of humans on Earth is still quite uneven, so the probability of being shot down is less.
Regarding the dangers of meteorites to humans, he said, none. Because it called the meteor radiation very low.
“Is there a radiation hazard? No. Radioactive material can be found in meteors, but at extremely low levels,” Rhorom said.
On the other hand, Rhorom does not deny that there are several types of meteors that are almost the same as rocks on Earth. However, microscopically there are indications of a different crystal structure and some of it.
“Geologists or petrographers can say more about this,” he said.
Then, Rhorom explained that meteors could penetrate the atmosphere and reach the Earth’s surface if they were big enough. Therefore, the meteor does not burn in the atmosphere. Also, meteors can penetrate Earth because the solar system is not empty.
“A large amount of meteorite dust and gravel can get close to Earth and enter the atmosphere,” Rhorom said.
More than that, Rhorom admitted that Lapan was unable to detect meteors that had penetrated Earth. This is because the detection and location of meteorites requires a monitoring camera system that is tightly distributed over an area.
“LAPAN has a meteorite radar in Agam, West Sumatra, but its observation range is limited,” he said.
(jps / DAL)
[Gambas:Video CNN]
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