Lia Corrales

Columbia University, PhD Candidate

Meteorites: The Extraterrestrials in Your Back Yard

They have invaded your flower beds, your streets, sidewalks, even the soles of your shoes. But what are they? These extraterrestrials, micro-meteorites, are harmless! An estimated 2 tons of them fall onto the Earth's surface each day. I will review where micro-meteorites come from, the remarkable ways in which they are studied, and the information they contain about the history of earth and space. Finally, I will show you what it takes to become a meteorite hunter -- in your own back yard.