Meteorites are of three kinds: stones, irons, and stony irons. Each
corresponds to a different part of planet formation. The stones resemble
pieces of planetary crust and mantle, the irons the planet cores, and the
stony irons the transitional area between core and mantle. In some stony
irons, translucent crystalline structures interpenetrate with opaque mantle
rock Collectors sometimes cut stony irons into thin slices and illuminate
them from one side for a gorgeous stained glass effect. Only one per cent
of all meteorites are stony irons. Five per cent are irons, and the remaining
ninety-four per cent are stones. The main function of the paragraph is to:
identify the three kinds of meteorites and provide information about each kind,
describe the chemical structure of the different types of rock found within the
meteorites classified as stones
explain why some meteorites contain both crystalline structures and opaque mantle
rock
list common ways collectors display pieces of meteorites.