Researchers have long been captivated by the mysteries lying beneath Antarctica's ice. Among these enigmas are the hundreds of thousands of meteorites believed to be hidden under its frozen expanse. These celestial remnants, primarily stony meteorites, have been recovered in significant numbers. Yet, a puzzling scarcity of iron and stony-iron meteorites in this region raises intriguing questions. A team of researchers, led by Geoffrey Evatt, recently organized a workshop to delve into this mystery, employing innovative experiments to understand the dynamics of meteorites and ice.
The vast majority of meteorites retrieved from Antarctica are stony in nature, with only a minute 0.7% being iron or stony-iron. This figure starkly contrasts with global collections, where 5.5% of meteorites fall into the iron or stony-iron categories. The disparity prompted researchers to explore the peculiar conditions in Antarctica that might account for this anomaly. Geoffrey Evatt spearheaded the effort by developing a mathematical model to analyze how meteorites absorb sunlight. His calculations suggested that the results were consistent with observations.
Meteorites are divided into three primary categories: stony, irons, and stony-irons. On Earth, the planet's molten iron core generates a magnetic field that shields it from harmful radiation, making the presence of iron meteorites particularly significant. However, the probability of discovering an iron meteorite in Antarctica is nearly ten times lower than in other locations worldwide. To investigate this curious phenomenon, researchers devised an ingenious experiment simulating Antarctica's unique conditions.
Utilizing a lamp, a freezer, and a block of ice, the team replicated the interplay of sunlight and ice found on the Antarctic continent. This simulation involved freezing two meteorites—one iron and one stony—within ice cubes designed to mimic the air bubble-free nature of glacier ice. These meticulously crafted experiments aimed to explore whether differential absorption of sunlight by the meteorites could explain their hidden status beneath the ice.
Katie Joy, a renowned expert on meteorites, played an instrumental role in designing this groundbreaking experiment. Her insights, coupled with those of Andrew Smedley, an authority on the effects of sunlight on materials, provided crucial guidance to the researchers. Together, they endeavored to unravel the mystery of Antarctica's elusive iron meteorites.
The findings from these experiments hold promise for enhancing our understanding of meteorite distribution beneath Antarctic ice. Joshua Howgego chronicled this captivating journey in his book, "The Meteorite Hunters," shedding light on the researchers' innovative approach to deciphering the enigma.
