Orgueil, Carbonaceous chondrite meteorite in Orgueil, France.
Orgueil is a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite that fell in southern France and reveals the chemical makeup of our solar system. Scientists continue to examine fragments of this rock to understand how our cosmic neighborhood formed and developed.
The meteorite fell on May 14, 1864, scattering fragments across the area near Orgueil in southern France. This event sparked intense scientific investigation that established France as a leader in meteorite research.
The meteorite takes its name from the village where it fell in 1864. It remains one of the most studied objects in science, drawing researchers from around the world to understand our cosmic origins.
Fragments of the meteorite are preserved in museums and research institutions worldwide and available for scientific study. Visitors can see samples in natural history museums to learn how this ancient rock helps explain our cosmic history.
The rock contains tiny diamond crystals that are older than our solar system itself. These presolar particles allow scientists to investigate the secret history of the cosmos billions of years before Earth existed.
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