What material primarily composes iron meteorites, indicating they are remnants of planetesimal cores?
Answer
Iron-nickel alloy
Iron meteorites represent a distinct category among space rocks, primarily characterized by their high concentration of an iron-nickel alloy. This specific composition strongly suggests their origin lies deep within ancient, larger celestial bodies known as planetesimals. These parent bodies were massive enough to undergo differentiation, meaning they developed internal layers similar to terrestrial planets. The iron-nickel alloy formed the metallic core of these ancient structures, and thus, the iron meteorites found today are the remnants of those long-destroyed cores.
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