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Meteorite group

Carbonaceous Chondrites

The most primitive chondrites, rich in carbon, water, and organic compounds.

Meteorite group

Overview

Dark, primitive chondrites carrying carbon, water-bearing minerals, and complex organics — the closest samples we have to the raw ingredients of the Solar System, and to what asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu are made of.

Meteorites

6 modelled meteorites.

  • A CM2 carbonaceous chondrite that fell in 2019, rapidly recovered and rich in organic compounds — sometimes called a 'second Murchison'.

    ClassCM2 carbonaceous chondriteCountryCosta RicaDate2019-04-23
  • The largest carbonaceous chondrite found on Earth, which fell in 1969 and became the most-studied meteorite in history — its calcium–aluminium inclusions are among the oldest solid material in the Solar System.

    ClassCV3 carbonaceous chondriteCountryMexicoDate1969-02-08
  • A carbonaceous chondrite that fell in 1969 and was found to contain a rich suite of amino acids and other organic compounds — key evidence that the building blocks of life exist in space.

    ClassCM2 carbonaceous chondriteCountryAustraliaDate1969-09-28
  • A rare, extremely primitive CI carbonaceous chondrite whose composition closely matches that of the Sun — a benchmark for the bulk composition of the Solar System.

    ClassCI1 carbonaceous chondriteCountryFranceDate1864-05-14
  • An exceptionally pristine carbonaceous meteorite recovered frozen from a lake in 2000, preserving organic material with minimal terrestrial contamination.

    ClassC2 (ungrouped) carbonaceous chondriteCountryCanadaDate2000-01-18
  • A carbonaceous chondrite whose 2021 fall was captured by camera networks, allowing its orbit to be traced and the sample to be recovered within days — one of the most pristine falls ever studied.

    ClassCM2 carbonaceous chondriteCountryUnited KingdomDate2021-02-28

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.