A twist on planetary origins: Meteorites were byproducts of planetary formation, not building b
Meteors that have crashed to Earth have long been regarded as relics of the early solar system. These craggy chunks of metal and rock are studded with chondrules -- tiny, glassy, spherical grains that were once molten droplets. Scientists have thought that chondrules represent early kernels of terrestrial planets: As the solar system started to coalesce, these molten droplets collided with bits of gas and dust to form larger planetary precursors.<img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/sciencedaily/~4/b-WuuoNcAY0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>
