Meteorites are space rocks that have fallen to Earth since the planet formed 4.5 billion years ago. While some cause little damage, others can lead to catastrophic events. Recent research has helped identify the origins of many meteorites. Scientists analyzed the composition of meteorites and asteroids in the solar system and concluded that about 70% of known meteorites come from three groups of asteroids in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Using computer simulations, astronomers modeled how families of asteroids formed and evolved in the main asteroid belt. These families consist of groups of asteroids with similar orbits created by collisions that sent fragments into space, some of which eventually struck Earth. Astronomer Miroslav Brož from Charles University, a member of the research team, noted that 37% of known meteorites are L chondrites from the Massalia asteroid family. The Karin and Koronis families account for 33% of meteorites known as H chondrites. The study also indicated that 8% of Earth’s meteorites came from the Flora and Nysa asteroid families, while about 6% originated from the asteroid Vesta. Although this research did not focus on the meteorite that caused the dinosaurs’ extinction 66 million years ago, another study suggests it may have come from beyond Jupiter. NASA’s 2022 DART mission demonstrated that a spacecraft can change an asteroid’s path, enhancing Earth’s protection from potential impacts.