Meteorite Glossary - Letter C

CAI:

Calcium-Aluminum Inclusions are very evident light colored inclusion commonly found in carbonaceous chondrites. They are often irregular in shape.

Caliche:

Meteorites are often found in desert areas covered or partially covered in a white encrustation of calcium material. This material is Caliche. It is not unlike common lime build up in pipes and on plumbing fixtures, but forms naturally because of repeated wetting and drying where calcium is present in the soil.

Carbonaceous:

A family of chondritic meteorites that contain several percent carbon by weight and are among the most primitive of meteorites.

Chondrules:

Small round and oval structures of crystal grains found in most chondrite type meteorites.

Coesite:

A high pressure form of silicon dioxide usually diagnostic of an impact event on rocks containing it. Forms at shock pressures of 30-50 gigapascals.

Cohenite:

An iron nickel carbide mineral found in some iron meteorites.

Cosmic Rays:

Radioactive particles that travel through space. They are the cause for the formation of isotopes of certain elements present in meteorites.

Crater:

The bowl shaped scar formed when an asteroid strikes the Earth or other body. Usually refers to a different feature than the simple impact pit formed ay a small meteorite. Craters generally refer to a feature formed by explosive force.

Cumulate:

Rocks composed of crystals that have grown and accumulated in a cooling magma.