Carbonaceous Chondrites
The most primitive chondrites, rich in carbon, water, and organic compounds.
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.
- Aguas Zarcasfall
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 - Allendefall
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 - Murchisonfall
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 - Orgueilfall
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 - Tagish Lakefall
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 - Winchcombefall
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
- Group includesAllende
- Group includesMurchison
- Group includesOrgueil
- Group includesTagish Lake
- Group includesAguas Zarcas
- Group includesWinchcombe
- Part ofChondrites
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.