Eucrite facts for kids
Eucrites are special space rocks called meteorites. They are a type of stony meteorite that comes from the surface of a giant space rock known as asteroid Vesta. Think of them as pieces of Vesta's crust that broke off and traveled to Earth! Eucrites are the most common type of these "achondrite" meteorites, with over 100 different pieces found so far.
What are Eucrites Made Of?
Eucrites are made of a type of rock called basalt. This is similar to the volcanic rock you might find on Earth, like the kind that forms from lava. These space rocks are mostly made up of minerals like pyroxene and plagioclase. These minerals give eucrites their unique look and help scientists understand where they came from.
Where Do Eucrites Come From?
Scientists believe that all eucrites come from the asteroid 4 Vesta. Vesta is one of the largest objects in the asteroid belt, a region between Mars and Jupiter filled with many asteroids. When other asteroids crashed into Vesta a long time ago, pieces of its surface were blasted into space. Some of these pieces eventually made their way to Earth as eucrite meteorites.
How Did Eucrites Get Their Name?
The name "eucrite" comes from a Greek word. It means "easily distinguished." This name was chosen because these meteorites have features that make them easy for scientists to tell apart from other types of space rocks.
