Where do we come from? How did our planet form? How do we know about the history of our solar system? You can explore these universal questions in the Moon, Meteorite and Solar System Gallery. Earth’s story begins with the birth of the Solar System more than 4.6 billion years ago. Our planet is a byproduct of the Sun’s formation from a vast cloud of dust and gas. There aren't a lot of clues left on Earth about its early life because plate tectonics and erosion have erased them. But meteorites — extraterrestrial rocks that land on Earth — provide an extraordinary opportunity to piece together the story of our planet. Meteorites are leftovers from the Solar System’s formation and they record the history of that process.

In this tour, you will see part of the museum’s meteorite collection, which contains more than 17, 000 specimens of more than 9,000 distinct meteorites. Learn where meteorites come from, where they are found, and what the different types are.

Virtual Tour of the Moon, Meteorite, and Solar System Gallery
https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NM...

Meteorites: Messengers from Outer Space
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/educati...