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Meteorite classification

Meteorite classification is the systematic organization of meteorites—solid remnants of material that have survived and reached Earth's surface—into categories based on their petrographic textures, compositions, chemical abundances, and isotopic ratios, enabling inferences about their formation, alteration histories, and parent bodies within the system. This framework, which has evolved since the through contributions from scientists like Gustav Rose and Benjamin Howard Prior, is maintained and updated by the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society via the Meteoritical Bulletin, ensuring standardized nomenclature and recognition of new types. The three main divisions of meteorites are chondrites, achondrites, and iron meteorites, with stony-iron meteorites forming a fourth category; chondrites, comprising over 85% of observed meteorite falls, are distinguished by the presence of chondrules—millimeter-sized spherical inclusions of silicate and metal—indicating minimal processing since their formation approximately 4.6 billion years ago, while achondrites lack chondrules and exhibit evidence of melting and differentiation on their parent bodies. Chondrites are further subdivided into groups such as carbonaceous (e.g., CI, CM, CV), ordinary (H, L, LL), and enstatite (EH, EL), based on oxygen isotopic compositions, volatile element contents, and matrix properties, reflecting diverse asteroid origins and aqueous or thermal alteration processes. Achondrites, including primitive achondrites like acapulcoites and differentiated types such as HED (howardites, eucrites, diogenites) from asteroid 4 Vesta or SNC (shergottites, nakhlites, chassignites) from Mars, are rarer and highlight igneous processes, with some linked to the Moon or specific planets via geochemical matches. Iron meteorites, making up about 5-10% of falls, consist primarily of iron-nickel alloys with a characteristic revealed by etching, classified into groups (e.g., IAB, IIAB, IVB) using ratios like , , and to trace origins from differentiated cores. Stony-iron meteorites, the rarest at less than 2% of observed falls, feature roughly equal proportions of metal and silicate, with subgroups like (olivine crystals in iron-nickel matrix, possibly from core-mantle boundaries) and mesosiderites (brecciated metal mixed with basaltic silicates). Classification requires detailed analysis, often involving thin-section , , and , and unpaired meteorites must deposit type specimens in approved institutions for official recognition. This system not only aids in identifying over 78,000 cataloged meteorites (as of October 2025) but also advances understanding of solar system evolution, with ongoing refinements incorporating new finds from and hot deserts.

Fundamental Concepts

Terminology

In meteorite studies, the term meteoroid refers to a natural solid object of 10 μm to 1 m in size that is moving through interplanetary space. When such a enters Earth's atmosphere and produces a visible streak of light due to and , it is termed a meteor, commonly known as a shooting star. If the object survives and lands on Earth's surface as a solid fragment larger than 10 μm, it is classified as a . Meteorite classification employs a hierarchical nomenclature to organize specimens based on compositional, textural, and isotopic properties. The broadest level consists of types, which divide meteorites into major categories such as chondrites (primitive, undifferentiated materials containing chondrules) and achondrites (differentiated, igneous-like rocks). Within types, groups are defined by shared petrographic, chemical, and mineralogical traits, such as the ordinary chondrite groups H, L, and LL, which differ in iron content and . Subgroups provide further refinements, often based on metamorphic grade or specific textural features, as seen in the H chondrites subdivided into (unequilibrated, low petrologic type) to H6 (highly equilibrated, high petrologic type). At a higher level of inferred relatedness, clans encompass multiple groups believed to share a common genetic origin from the same parent body, such as the HED clan uniting howardites, eucrites, and diogenites. A small fraction of chondrites are designated as ungrouped because they do not match the characteristics of any established group, often representing rare or novel materials that may indicate distinct parent bodies. Meteorites are also distinguished by recovery context: falls are those observed during , allowing fresh collection with minimal terrestrial weathering, whereas finds are discovered on the surface without prior observation, potentially showing greater alteration or contamination.

Genetic Relationships

Meteorites originate from parent bodies such as asteroids or differentiated planetary objects, where fragments from the same body exhibit shared mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic characteristics due to common formation histories and processes. These similarities allow researchers to infer genetic relationships, grouping meteorites into clans that represent materials derived from distinct parent bodies or regions in the early solar system. For instance, are organized into major clans based on bulk compositions and textures that reflect nebular and asteroidal processing. The clan encompasses subgroups like , , and , characterized by volatile-rich matrices and silicates indicative of formation in cooler, outer solar system regions. In contrast, the clan includes H, L, and LL types, which share equilibrated textures and metal abundances suggesting origins from one or more inner-belt asteroids. The enstatite chondrite clan stands apart with highly reduced assemblages, including and sulfides, pointing to formation under low-oxygen fugacity conditions near . These clans highlight how reveals broad genetic affiliations beyond simple compositional types. Oxygen isotope ratios, particularly δ¹⁷O and δ¹⁸O, play a crucial role in establishing these links by revealing mass-dependent trends unique to parent bodies. In three-isotope plots, meteorites from the same align along distinct fractionation lines with slopes near 0.52, reflecting high-temperature exchange or accretion processes on specific bodies, while deviations indicate mixing or distinct reservoirs. For example, chondrites plot along a line separate from carbonaceous types, supporting multiple parent bodies within each clan. Proving genetic relationships faces challenges from post-accretionary processes, including brecciation that mixes clasts from different sources, aqueous or thermal alteration that modifies mineralogy and isotopes, and that alters surface compositions through impacts and exposure. These effects can obscure original signatures, requiring integrated petrographic and spectroscopic analyses to disentangle. A prominent example is the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites, achondritic basalts and cumulates linked to asteroid (4) Vesta through matching eucritic compositions, vestan isotopic ratios, and dynamical models. NASA's Dawn , orbiting from 2011 to 2012, confirmed this parentage by identifying HED-like mineralogies on Vesta's surface, including diogenite-rich regions at the crater, thus validating decades of spectroscopic inferences.

Primary Classification Categories

Stony Meteorites

Stony meteorites, the most abundant type of , are defined as those composed predominantly of , typically 75-90% silicates by volume, with minor inclusions of metals and sulfides. They constitute approximately 94% of all observed meteorite falls, far outnumbering iron and stony-iron varieties due to their prevalence in the . Physically, these meteorites often exhibit a thin, dark crust formed by melting during , along with regmaglypt-like indentations on the exterior surface from . Their interiors, however, are typically friable and crumbly, contrasting with the more durable metallic exteriors of iron meteorites, and they lack the high metal content that makes irons more resistant to weathering on . Chemically, stony meteorites are rich in magnesium (), iron (), and silicon (), reflecting compositions akin to the rocky mantles of differentiated bodies, but with significantly lower proportions of free metals compared to iron meteorites. This silicate dominance distinguishes them from other categories, emphasizing their origin from crustal or mantle-like materials rather than metallic cores. Stony meteorites are subdivided into chondrites, which represent primitive, undifferentiated materials and comprise about 93% of stony meteorites, and achondrites, which are processed through melting and , accounting for roughly 7%. A transitional category, primitive achondrites, bridges these by showing of chondritic precursors while retaining some original textures. A notable example is the Allende meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite that fell in Mexico in 1969, illustrating the chemical and textural diversity within stony meteorites through its abundance of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions and organic compounds.

Iron Meteorites

Iron meteorites consist predominantly of iron-nickel alloys, with compositions typically exceeding 90% metal, including 70-95% iron, 5-30% nickel, and trace amounts of cobalt and other elements. These meteorites represent fragments of the metallic cores from differentiated asteroids that underwent melting and segregation early in Solar System history. They account for approximately 5% of observed meteorite falls, though they are more common in collections due to their durability and ease of recognition compared to stony types. Historically, iron meteorites were referred to as siderites, a term reflecting their metallic nature. A defining structural characteristic of most iron meteorites is the , visible upon etching with acid, which reveals broad, interlocking plates of kamacite (low- iron) and (high- iron). This microstructure arises from the slow cooling of the molten metal at rates of about 10-100°C per million years over depths of several kilometers within the parent body, allowing diffusion-controlled exsolution of the two phases. Iron meteorites are further subdivided into chemical groups based on variations in content (typically 5-30%) and trace elements like , , and , which reflect distinct parent body origins and magmatic processes. Prominent groups include IAB, characterized by moderate and associated with non-magmatic processes, and IIICD, which shows lower concentrations of certain trace elements like and . The formation of iron meteorites is tied to the cores of protoplanetary bodies that differentiated into metallic cores, silicate mantles, and crusts around 4.5 billion years ago, with subsequent collisional breakup exposing the cores to space. Analysis of cosmogenic nuclides, such as those produced by cosmic-ray interactions (e.g., via measurement of rare gases or radionuclides like ⁴¹K), yields exposure ages typically ranging from 100 million to over 1 billion years, indicating the duration these materials have been traveling as meteoroids. Notable examples include the , an IIIAB group iron discovered in in the , featuring the massive Ahnighito specimen weighing 31 metric tons, one of the largest known intact meteorite masses, and the , a IIAB iron that fell in a spectacular shower over on February 12, 1947, with over 23 tons recovered from thousands of fragments.

Stony-Iron Meteorites

Stony-iron meteorites represent a rare hybrid category of meteorites characterized by a mixture of metallic iron-nickel and , typically comprising between 5% and 90% metal by volume, though most specimens exhibit roughly equal proportions of each component. They constitute approximately 1% of all observed meteorite falls and finds, highlighting their scarcity compared to purely stony or iron varieties. This mixed composition arises from zones within differentiated parent bodies where metal and silicates have been intimately combined, distinguishing them from the more uniform textures of iron meteorites, which lack significant phases. Physically, stony-iron meteorites often display brecciated textures resulting from high-impact events, with fragments embedded in a metallic matrix. In , which account for about 0.4% of falls, well-rounded crystals—frequently of gem-quality , exhibiting a translucent hue—are suspended within the iron-nickel metal, creating a striking visual contrast. Mesosiderites, comprising roughly 0.7% of falls, feature a more heterogeneous mix of angular clasts, including basaltic fragments, irregularly distributed in the metal, often showing evidence of thermal from collisions. These traits underscore the dynamic, impact-driven nature of their assembly. Formation hypotheses for stony-iron meteorites center on collisional processes in differentiated asteroids, where impacts or intrusive mechanisms mix core-derived metal with mantle or crustal silicates. Pallasites are thought to originate from the core-mantle boundary of such bodies, where molten metal intrudes olivine-rich layers, preserving the crystals during rapid cooling. Mesosiderites likely form from high-velocity collisions that blend core metal with crustal materials, potentially linked to asteroid 4 Vesta based on compositional similarities to howardite-eucrite-diogenite meteorites. These models emphasize catastrophic events in the early solar system that disrupted and remixed planetary interiors. Notable examples include the Esquel pallasite, discovered in in 1951, renowned for its exceptionally large, rounded olivine spheres up to several centimeters across, embedded in a fresh metal matrix that resists oxidation. For mesosiderites, specimens like those hypothesized to derive from illustrate the crust-core mixing, with silicate clasts showing affinities to Vestan basalts, providing key evidence for impact origins on differentiated protoplanets.

Detailed Subclassifications

Chondrites

Chondrites are primitive stony meteorites that preserve material from the early solar nebula, distinguished by the presence of chondrules—millimeter-sized, roughly spherical aggregates primarily composed of and —set within a fine-grained matrix, along with calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), which are early-formed components. These textures indicate minimal processing since accretion, without significant melting or of their parent bodies. Chondrites comprise approximately 86% of all recovered meteorites and dominate observed falls, underscoring their prevalence in the inner solar system. The petrologic classification scheme divides chondrites into types 1 through 6, based on the extent of aqueous alteration and metamorphism, as established by Van Schmus and in 1967. Types 1 and 2 reflect progressive aqueous alteration, with type 1 showing complete hydration of primary s (e.g., no distinct chondrules) and type 2 retaining some original features amid phyllosilicate formation. Type 3 chondrites are unequilibrated, exhibiting heterogeneous compositions and well-preserved chondrule textures from nebular origins. Types 4 to 6 indicate increasing metamorphism, leading to recrystallization and chemical homogenization, with type 6 fully equilibrated at temperatures up to ~1000°C. This scale highlights the thermal histories of chondrite parent bodies, from mild aqueous processing to intense heating. Chondrites are further grouped chemically by bulk composition, oxidation state, and isotopic signatures into three primary classes: carbonaceous, ordinary, and enstatite. Carbonaceous chondrites (C group) are enriched in volatiles, organics, and water-soluble compounds, with subgroups like CM (Mighei-like, hydrous) and CV (Vigarano-like, more oxidized); they often contain up to 5% carbon. Ordinary chondrites (O group), the most common, are subdivided by total iron content and metal abundance: H (high iron, ~25% total Fe), L (low iron, ~22% Fe), and LL (very low iron, ~19% Fe). Enstatite chondrites (E group) formed under highly reducing conditions, featuring enstatite as the dominant silicate and oldhamite (CaS); they split into EH (high iron) and EL (low iron). An anomalous oxidized variant, the Rumuruti (R) chondrites, stands apart with elevated oxidation states, distinct oxygen isotopes, and matrix-dominated textures, represented by rare falls like Rumuruti itself. Equilibration in chondrites is quantified through mineral homogeneity, particularly the compositional variation in , expressed as the (Fa, Fe₂SiO₄) to (Fo, Mg₂SiO₄) end-member ratios. In type 3 unequilibrated chondrites, olivine Fa contents vary widely (e.g., 0–50 mol% within a single meteorite), reflecting nebular diversity. Equilibrated types 4–6 show tight clustering, such as 17–20 mol% Fa in H-group olivines or 24–26 mol% in L-group, due to diffusion-driven homogenization during . These metrics, alongside and metal compositions, provide precise indicators of thermal processing and parent body conditions. Chondrites serve as to differentiated achondrites, where further on the same bodies erased chondritic textures.

Achondrites

Achondrites are stony meteorites composed primarily of that lack chondrules and exhibit evidence of on their parent bodies. They represent approximately 8% of all known meteorites and include both primitive achondrites, which formed through and retain near-chondritic s, and more differentiated types derived from melted mantles or crusts. Primitive achondrites, such as acapulcoites and lodranites, display textures indicative of low-degree , with silicate partial melts extracting metals and sulfides, leaving behind residue-rich rocks. The major groups of achondrites encompass the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) clan, which consists of basaltic howardites (breccias), eucrites (fine-grained basalts), and diogenites (orthopyroxene-rich cumulates); lunar meteorites resembling basalts; and martian meteorites of the SNC group (shergottites, nakhlites, and chassignites). HED meteorites dominate, comprising over half of all achondrites, and are characterized by their volcanic and plutonic origins. Lunar achondrites feature low-iron basalts with titanium-rich minerals, while SNC meteorites include basaltic shergottites, clinopyroxenite nakhlites, and chassignites, reflecting diverse magmatic processes. Texturally, achondrites often display cumulate structures from crystal settling in magma chambers, as seen in diogenites with coarse orthopyroxene grains, or brecciated forms like howardites, which are polymict mixtures of eucritic and diogenitic fragments cemented by impact glass. Crystallization sequences vary by group; for instance, eucrites typically show pigeonite as the dominant pyroxene, formed through fractional crystallization of basaltic melts under low-pressure conditions. These features contrast with the primitive, unequilibrated textures of chondrites, highlighting achondrites' history of melting and recrystallization. Identification of achondrites relies on the absence of chondrules and the presence of igneous minerals, particularly high-calcium pyroxenes like in many differentiated types, alongside and in equilibrated assemblages. Primitive achondrites may show subtle recrystallization without full , but all lack the rounded silicate droplets defining chondrites. A notable example is the Nakhla meteorite, a nakhlite that fell in in 1911 and contains hydrated minerals such as iddingsite and clays, indicating post-crystallization aqueous alteration on Mars. Genetic links suggest HED meteorites originated from asteroid and SNC from Mars, based on spectral matches and geochemical similarities.

Siderites and Pallasites

Siderites, also known as iron meteorites, are classified into 14 chemical groups primarily based on variations in (), (), (), and () contents, which reflect distinct parent body cores. Examples include the IAB-MG subgroup (with moderate Ni ~8-9 wt%, Ga ~20-40 , Ge ~50-100 ), IC (low Ni ~6-8 wt%, high Ge ~100-200 ), and IIE (high Ni ~10-15 wt%, low Ga ~1-10 ). These groups, comprising about 86% of irons, indicate magmatic processes, with ungrouped irons (14%) showing atypical compositions. Structurally, siderites are divided into hexahedrites, octahedrites, and ataxites based on the kamacite-taenite microstructure revealed by etching. Hexahedrites, with <5.8 wt% Ni, lack Widmanstätten patterns and consist of single kamacite crystals often showing Neumann bands from shock. Octahedrites, the most common (90%), display oriented kamacite lamellae (5-13 wt% Ni) subdivided by bandwidth: finest (<0.2 mm, e.g., IVA group), medium (0.2-1.3 mm, e.g., IAB), coarse (1.3-3.3 mm, e.g., IIIAB), and coarsest (>3.3 mm). Ataxites (>13 wt% Ni) form plessite or martensite without clear patterns due to slow cooling or high Ni suppressing kamacite. Cooling rates for siderites, inferred from taenite lamellae widths and Ni diffusion modeling at ~500°C, range from 1-100°C per million years, indicating burial depths of 10-50 in metallic cores. For instance, the coarsest octahedrites in IIIAB cool at ~20-50°C/, consistent with a parent body of ~25 , while finer groups like IVA cool faster at up to 1000°C/ near the surface. Pallasites, a stony-iron subtype, are divided into the main group (PMG) and anomalous variants like the Eagle Station grouplet, distinguished by silicate-metal textural and chemical differences. PMG pallasites, such as Brenham, feature well-rounded, cm-sized low-Ca crystals (Fa ~12-18 mol%, average ~15) embedded in ~90 vol% Fe- metal similar to IIIAB irons ( ~8-10 wt%, ~10-20 ppm). The Eagle Station group, including Eagle Station and Karavannoe, contains 20-40 vol% silicates with (Fa ~20-25) plus low-Ca (En ~70-80), suggesting a distinct crustal-metal interface origin. Mesosiderites, another stony-iron class, exhibit brecciated textures with ~50 vol% silicates (basaltic achondrite-like, including , , ) as clasts in a fine-grained admixed with ~45 vol% metal and . Textural subtypes include A (pyroxene-rich , >60% orthopyroxene), B (balanced pyroxene-), and C (-rich), reflecting varying degrees of silicate equilibration during metal-silicate mixing events at ~900-1200°C. This mixing caused partial reactions and fractional , with metal showing equilibrated Ni gradients and silicates displaying metamorphic overprints from grade 1 (fragmental ) to grade 4 (fully recrystallized). Anomalous siderites, comprising ~14% of irons, deviate from standard groups, such as high- ataxites (>25 wt% ) like those in the IVB group or ungrouped examples with extreme trace elements, indicating unique or impact modification histories.

Advanced Classification Schemes

Traditional and Classification

The traditional of meteorites emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries, dividing them into three primary categories based on macroscopic composition and texture: stony meteorites, which are silicate-rich and resemble terrestrial rocks; iron meteorites, dominated by metallic iron-nickel alloys; and stony-iron meteorites, featuring a mixture of silicates and metal. Stony meteorites were further distinguished into chondrites, containing spherical chondrules indicative of early solar system formation, and achondrites, lacking such textures and suggesting processes. This foundational scheme provided a practical basis for identifying meteorite types through visual and basic mineralogical inspection. A significant advancement came from G.T. 's chemical classification in the , which refined the traditional categories by incorporating bulk chemical analyses, particularly of iron, , and contents. Prior introduced terms like mesosiderites for certain stony-iron varieties and lodranites for achondrites, establishing a systematic framework that emphasized compositional gradients across types. For instance, irons were grouped by content (e.g., low-nickel hexahedrites and high-nickel ataxites), while stony meteorites were assessed for metal abundance to differentiate equilibrated from unequilibrated subtypes. This approach laid the groundwork for modern petrologic studies by linking chemistry to potential parent body origins. Weisberg et al. (2006) formalized a hierarchical scheme to address limitations in earlier systems, organizing meteorites into clans (broad families sharing petrologic, mineralogic, and isotopic traits), groups (collections of at least five similar specimens), and subgroups (finer divisions based on specific variations). This structure prioritizes petrology—such as chondrule size, matrix abundance, and textural maturity—over chemistry alone, while integrating mineral compositions (e.g., olivine fayalite content) and oxygen isotopes to infer genetic links. For example, ordinary chondrites form a clan encompassing the H, L, and LL groups, distinguished by decreasing total iron and increasing oxidation state from H (Fa 16–20 mol% olivine) to LL (Fa 25–32 mol%). Clans like the CR clan (including CR, CH, and CB chondrites) highlight shared nebular reservoirs through consistent metal grain sizes and presolar grain abundances. The hierarchy excels in classifying unequilibrated meteorites, where primary textures and minerals preserve nebular histories, enabling over 98% of specimens to be grouped effectively. It is the standard endorsed by the Meteoritical Society for nomenclature and cataloging, facilitating comparative studies of solar system evolution. Nonetheless, the scheme's reliance on petrologic and limited isotopic criteria struggles to fully resolve achondrite genetics, where advanced oxygen and isotope reveal nuanced parent body connections not captured in clan definitions.

Alternative and Modern Schemes

In the early 21st century, meteorite classification evolved to incorporate genetic relationships tied to accretion environments in the early Solar System, as proposed by Krot et al. in their 2014 update to the Treatise on Geochemistry. This scheme emphasizes the role of nebular and asteroidal processes in grouping meteorites, particularly by integrating petrographic, chemical, and isotopic data to trace parent body formation. A key addition was the formal recognition of acapulcoites and lodranites within the primitive achondrites, highlighting their partial melting and metal-silicate segregation in reduced accretion settings. Building on earlier frameworks like the in Weisberg et al. (2006), the authors refined classifications by evaluating systematic mineralogical and isotopic variations, incorporating the R-chondrites as a distinct group characterized by oxidized, alkali-rich compositions and the Kakangari chondrites (K-group) as unequilibrated, enstatite-bearing types bridging ordinary and enstatite chondrites. These refinements addressed gaps in traditional petrologic typing by prioritizing oxygen isotopes and bulk chemistry to better delineate clan affiliations. Modern integrations have further advanced classification through high-precision and isotopic tracing of . U-Pb dating of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) establishes a canonical age of approximately 4.567 Ga for the oldest Solar System solids, providing a temporal anchor for meteorite formation sequences across groups. Similarly, nitrogen isotope ratios in , often exceeding solar values by factors of 10 or more, enable identification of stardust origins from supernovae or , refining the primitive nature of chondritic matrices. Refinements in the early 2000s have introduced finer granularity to address limitations in thermal metamorphism assessments. For unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, subtype divisions such as 3.0 to 3.15 on the petrologic scale incorporate thermoluminescence sensitivity and matrix opacity to distinguish subtle equilibration differences, enhancing discrimination among low-grade samples. In martian meteorites, a 2025 study by et al. proposes non-destructive rare earth element (REE) analysis of as a for shergottites, revealing systematic patterns in light versus heavy REE enrichment that correlate with source depletion and enrichment, independent of bulk rock composition. Looking ahead, approaches are emerging for pre-fall spectral classification, using data from analogs to predict compositions and types with over 90% accuracy in supervised models. This method, demonstrated in 2025 analyses of visible-near infrared spectra, promises to link orbital observations to ground-recovered samples without physical analysis.

Historical Development

Early Classifications

Prior to the , meteorites were frequently regarded as "thunderstones," artifacts believed to form through strikes or other terrestrial atmospheric processes, with little scientific scrutiny given to their origins. The observed fall of meteorites near , , on June 16, 1794, marked a pivotal moment, as it was witnessed by numerous people in a populated area and prompted the first rigorous scientific investigations, confirming the reality of falls from space and challenging prevailing geological views. In the mid-19th century, German mineralogist Gustav Rose advanced the field by cataloging known meteorites and classifying stony varieties based on visible textures, distinguishing chondrites—named for their spherical chondrules—from achondrites and other subtypes such as howardites and eucrites. Concurrently, British mineralogist Nevil Story-Maskelyne in the 1860s formalized a broader division of meteorites into siderites (iron-rich), siderolites (stony-iron mixtures), and (stony), further subdividing aerolites into chondritic and achondritic groups using macroscopic . These efforts laid foundational descriptive categories, exemplified by the 1864 Orgueil fall in , which introduced the first recognized due to its dark, organic-rich appearance. By the late 19th century, Austrian curator Aristides Brezina refined groupings in his 1896 systematic scheme, introducing terms like hexahedrites for those lacking Widmanstätten patterns, alongside s and ataxites, based on structural observations of hand specimens. This classification was applied to notable finds such as the Canyon Diablo , discovered in 1891 near in , classified as a coarse . However, these early systems were inherently limited, relying solely on gross morphological features without microscopic or chemical analysis, which restricted deeper insights into compositions and origins.

Modern Advances

In the early 20th century, refinements to earlier classification systems were advanced by Gustav Tschermak and Aristides Brezina, who built upon Gustav Rose's 1864 to develop the Rose-Tschermak-Brezina (RTB) , finalized by Brezina in 1904, which categorized meteorites based on petrographic and mineralogical features into aerolites, siderolites, and siderites with subclasses. This system emphasized textural and compositional distinctions, such as chondrule presence in stony meteorites. Extending these efforts, George T. Prior introduced a chemical classification in 1916, dividing chondrites into three groups—enstatite, , and —based on the iron content in orthopyroxene, reflecting variations in and parent body processes. Prior's rules, linking total iron, metallic iron, and contents, provided a quantitative framework for genetic relationships among chondrites. Mid-20th-century advancements shifted focus to detailed and chemistry. In 1962, proposed a comprehensive classification scheme, integrating petrographic observations with chemical data to define groups like eucrites, diogenites, and howardites based on compositions and achondritic textures, building on Prior's earlier work. Concurrently, the , developed in the 1950s and widely adopted by the 1960s, enabled analysis of trace elements and mineral zoning in meteorites at micron scales, revealing subtle compositional gradients that refined subgroupings within chondrites and . This tool's application, such as in studies of nickel-iron phases, supported the identification of equilibration temperatures and shock histories, enhancing the precision of thermal metamorphism assessments. By the late , isotopic techniques linked meteorite groups to distinct parent bodies. In the , N. Clayton and colleagues developed oxygen isotope plots (δ¹⁷O versus δ¹⁸O) to classify meteorites, identifying fractionation lines for ordinary chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites, and enstatite chondrites, which demonstrated nebular and planetary processing influences. These plots revealed anomalies, such as ¹⁶O enrichments in certain groups, enabling the correlation of achondrites like HEDs to the asteroid . efforts were formalized through the Meteoritical Bulletin, launched in 1957 by the Meteoritical Society and edited initially in until 1970, which established uniform for new finds and reclassifications, ensuring consistent reporting of petrographic, chemical, and isotopic data. The 21st century brought direct validation from sample returns and refined planetary meteorite identifications. Japan's Hayabusa mission returned samples from asteroid (25143) Itokawa in 2010, confirming the material as fragmented LL ordinary chondrite with space-weathered surfaces, aligning remote spectroscopic classifications with meteorite schemes and highlighting regolith evolution on S-type asteroids. Japan's Hayabusa2 mission returned samples from asteroid (162173) Ryugu in 2020, revealing material akin to CI and CM carbonaceous chondrites with abundant organics and hydrated minerals, further validating spectroscopic links to C-type asteroids and enhancing understanding of primitive meteorite formation. NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission followed in 2023 with samples from (101955) Bennu, yielding primitive carbonaceous material rich in volatiles and organics, closely resembling CI chondrites but with elevated ammonia and nitrogen, which has prompted updates to carbonaceous classifications and insights into aqueous alteration on C-type asteroids. For planetary meteorites, the 1996 detailed analysis of Allan Hills 84001, an orthopyroxenite found in 1984, confirmed its Martian origin via oxygen isotopes and trapped gases, expanding the SNC (shergottites, nakhlites, chassignites) group to include ancient crustal samples and refining criteria for lunar and Martian identifications. Recent isotopic studies in the 2020s have addressed ungrouped achondrites through high-precision analyses. Fe-Ni isotope systematics applied to achondrites from diverse parent bodies have revealed temporal variations in planetesimal reservoirs, linking ungrouped samples like NWA 7325 to early metallic cores and enabling reclassification of primitive achondrites based on nucleosynthetic anomalies. Similarly, Ru and Nd isotope refinements have distinguished new subgroups among ungrouped achondrites, such as those related to Tafassasset, by tracing mass-dependent fractionations and connecting them to outer solar system formation processes. These advancements underscore the role of multi-isotope approaches in resolving the diversity of differentiated planetesimals.