Oriented meteorites
Collection of various oriented (or orientated) meteorites from the Jurassic Dreams Collection. There are different views of each meteorite: Trailing Side (Rear) , the Leading Side (Front) and a side view.
As a meteor travels through the Earth's atmosphere, the heat generated ablates material away. If the meteor is able to achieve stable flight rather than tumbling sporadically, then the material will ablate in an even manner creating what is known as a shield or nose-cone shape. In fact, ideas for space re-entry vehicles were designed from this natural shape which tends to dissipate the high amounts of energy better. The leading side (front) and sides often have flow-lines in the surface which indicates the direction the material was being ablated. The rear edges of the trailing side can create a 'roll-over' rim or 'lip' where the ablating/melting material has started to roll-over onto the back side. Sometimes specimens will also have 'frothing' on the trailing side where the crust has literally bubbled. Oriented meteorites are quite rare and can differ widely in shape and size.
As a meteor travels through the Earth's atmosphere, the heat generated ablates material away. If the meteor is able to achieve stable flight rather than tumbling sporadically, then the material will ablate in an even manner creating what is known as a shield or nose-cone shape. In fact, ideas for space re-entry vehicles were designed from this natural shape which tends to dissipate the high amounts of energy better. The leading side (front) and sides often have flow-lines in the surface which indicates the direction the material was being ablated. The rear edges of the trailing side can create a 'roll-over' rim or 'lip' where the ablating/melting material has started to roll-over onto the back side. Sometimes specimens will also have 'frothing' on the trailing side where the crust has literally bubbled. Oriented meteorites are quite rare and can differ widely in shape and size.
