Howardites

The answer sheet for the worksheet How meteorites get their names. Each answer comes with the reason, so it can be used to mark or to go over the questions with the class.

Back to the worksheet

Start here: Explorer · Ages 10 and upAnswer sheet for teachers

Answers: How meteorites get their names

  1. B: In the 1981–82 seasonThe first digits give the collecting season, so 81 means the 1981–82 season.
  2. D: Water altered it on its parent bodyThe 2 is the petrologic type, showing the rock was altered by water on its parent body.
  3. D: It will be refused, as names come from placesMeteorites are named after the place where they fell or were found, not after people or pets.
  4. D: A place name followed by a numberEach one gets the name of the area plus a number to tell it apart.
  5. C: So researchers can study and check itKeeping a type specimen where researchers can reach it lets others study and check the classification.
  6. True (It is in a chemical group of irons)IIIAB is the name of a chemical group of iron meteorites.
  7. True (Winchcombe)Winchcombe fell near the town of Winchcombe in England.
  8. The Yamato Mountains, where they are found (accept any answer with the same meaning)Yamato meteorites are named after the Yamato Mountains, where Japanese teams have found thousands.
  9. So everyone knows which meteorite is meant (accept any answer with the same meaning)A unique name lets scientists, catalogues and labels refer to one meteorite without confusion.
  10. They are bought without a precise find site (accept any answer with the same meaning)Without an exact find site, they get the general name Northwest Africa plus a number.

Task

Answers will vary. The task comes from the lesson: Look up five meteorites mentioned in this course. Write each name and classification, then mark on a world map where it was found. Can you spot any dense collection areas?

Look for work that uses the key words correctly and gives a reason for each point.

Howardites · teacher copy: keep it separate from the pupil worksheets