Syllabus
Basic terms, solar system objects, meteoritics as science
Asteroids and comets as a source of meteorites, meteorites from the Moon and Mars, types of asteroids, reflectance spectroscopy, possible parent bodies
Classification, its development and problems, minerals of meteorites, chemical characteristics
Famous meteorites worldwide, meteorites of the Czech Republic
Annotation
Meteorites represent unique materials documenting the history of the Solar system. They differ mutually in their structure, chemical, and mineral compositions. They can be divided into undifferentiated (chondrites) and differentiated (achondrites, stony-irons, and irons). In-depth data on chemistry, mineralogy, and structure allow further subdivision. Among minerals found in meteorites, there are, next to those commonly occurring on the Earth, several phases not observed in terrestrial conditions. This specific mineral composition reflects unique physical and chemical conditions governing meteorite formation.
Due to the pandemic situation, the course in the summer semester of the academic year 2020/2021 takes place in a combined online form and self-study of provided selected literature. Information on how to connect to an online lecture will be provided to enrolled students via e-mail.