What primary components define Iron meteorites in the compositional spectrum?
Answer
Metallic iron and nickel
Iron meteorites occupy one end of the primary compositional spectrum used for classifying meteorites, distinct from stony or stony-iron types. These meteorites are fundamentally defined by their composition, consisting predominantly of metallic iron mixed with varying amounts of nickel. This high metallic content often gives them a recognizable characteristic: magnetism, which aids in distinguishing them from common terrestrial rocks, unlike some other rare types such as those originating from the Moon or Mars that lack this metallic signature and appear indistinguishable from Earth rocks without specialized testing.
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