The Murchison meteorite is named after Murchison, Victoria, in Australia. It is one of the most studied meteorites due to its large mass (>100 kg), the fact that it was an observed fall, and that it belongs to a group of meteorites rich in organic compounds.

Composition    22.13% total iron, 12% water

Type               Chondrite

Class               Carbonaceous Chontrite

Group              CM2

Actual piece used in Electrolysis Process:

History

On 28 September 1969 at about 10:58 local time, near the town of Murchison, Victoria, in Australia, a bright fireball was observed to separate into three fragments before disappearing, leaving a cloud of smoke. About 30 seconds later, a tremor was heard. Many fragments were found over an area larger than 13 km², with individual mass up to 7 kg; one, weighing 680 g, broke through a roof and fell in hay. The total collected mass exceeds 100 kg.

Classification and composition

The meteorite belongs to the CM group of carbonaceous chondrites (see meteorite classification). Like most CM chondrites, Murchison is petrologic type 2, which means that it experienced extensive alteration by water-rich fluids on its parent body before falling to Earth. CM chondrites, together with the CI group, are rich in carbon and are among the most chemically primitive meteorites. Like other CM chondrites, Murchison contains abundant CAIs. Over 15 amino acids (some of the basic components of life) have been rapidly identified in the meteorite, and more later. All the amino acids found in the Murchison meteorite have been synthesized in laboratory experiments by the action of electric discharge on a mixture of methane, nitrogen, and water with traces of ammonia.

Organic compounds

Murchison contains common amino acids such as glycine, alanine and glutamic acid as well as unusual ones like isovaline and pseudoleucine.^[5] A complex mixture of alkanes was isolated as well, similar to that found in the Miller–Urey experiment. Serine and threonine, usually considered to be earthly contaminants, were conspicuously absent in the samples. A specific family of amino acids called diamino acids was identified in the Murchison meteorite as well.^[6]

The initial report stated that the amino acids were racemic and therefore formed in an abiotic manner because amino acids of terrestrial proteins are all of the L-configuration. Later the amino acid alanine, which is also a protein amino acid, was found to have an excess of the L-configuration,which led several to suspect terrestrial contamination according to the argument that it would be "unusual for an abiotic stereoselective decomposition or synthesis of amino acids to occur with protein amino acids but not with non-protein amino acids." In 1997, L-excesses were also found in a non-protein amino acid, isovaline, suggesting an extraterrestrial source for molecular asymmetry in the Solar System. At the same time, L-excesses of alanine were again found in Murchison but now with enrichment in the isotope ¹⁵N, however, the isotopic pairing was later contested on analytical grounds. The list of organic materials identified in the meteorite was extended to polyols by 2001.

Although the meteorite contained a mixture of left-handed and right-handed amino acids, most amino acids used by living organisms are left-handed in chirality, and most sugars used are right-handed. A team of chemists in Sweden demonstrated in 2005 that this homochirality could have been triggered or catalyzed, by the action of a left-handed amino acid such as proline.

Several lines of evidence indicate that the interior portions of well-preserved fragments from Murchison are pristine. A 2010 study using high resolution analytical tools including spectroscopy, identified 14,000 molecular compounds including 70 amino acids in a sample of the meteorite.The limited scope of the analysis by mass spectrometry provides for a potential 50,000 or more unique molecular compositions, with the team estimating the possibility of millions of distinct organic compounds in the meteorite.

Nucleobases

Further information: Nucleobase

Measured purine and pyrimidine compounds are indigenous components of the Murchison meteorite. Carbon isotope ratios for uracil and xanthine of δ¹³C = +44.5‰ and +37.7‰, respectively, indicate a non-terrestrial origin for these compounds. These results demonstrate that many organic compounds which are components of life on Earth, were already present in the early Solar System and may have played a key role in life's origin.

Scientists found evidence in Murchison fragments that life-forming, left-handed amino acids may have originated in deep space. From deep within the meteorite, Dr. John Cronin and Dr. Sandra Pizzarello extracted amino acids not found on earth. These amino acids were predominantly left-handed, the kind that could give a kick-start to life.

So far, 92 different amino acids have been identified in the Murchison meteorite. Of these, only 19 are also found on Earth. The remaining amino acids have no apparent terrestrial source. This discovery led scientists to consider the possibility that Earth's life forms originated elsewhere in the universe. And the same cosmic process that may have helped life arise on Earth could also be seeding life elsewhere in the universe.

NASA scientist Dr. George Cooper and co-workers from the NASA Ames Research Center discovered sugar and several related organic compounds in the Murchison meteorite. This discovery provided the first evidence that another fundamental building block of life might have come from outer space. Previously, researchers had looked inside meteorites and found other organic, carbon-based compounds that play major roles in life on Earth, but no sugars.

Metaphysical

China considered meteorites to be sacred stones from the Heavens, and the Kaaba at Mecca is a meteorite revered by the Moslems for centuries. Some regard meteorites as helpful tools for communication with alien intelligences and distant planets. Meteorites can be used as a symbol of endurance based on their long travel and mode of entry into our world. Walk-ins or Star-seeds may find meteorites useful as a stabilizing influence in their “new environment.” It may also be useful in helping people get in contact with past lives on other worlds.

Magnetic meteorites attract and repel energies and are use for sedation. It acts as a grounding stone. because of its magnetic charge, it may temporarily align the Chakra, as well as stimulate the the subtle auric and etheric bodies. It assists in telepathy, meditation and visualization. They can provide stability and balance including balancing the intellect and our emotion state. It brings a balanced perspective and trust in your own intuition. Try using it to alleviate negativity such as fear, anger and grief. It brings positive qualities such as tenacity and endurance.

Folk Remedies - The meteorite with iron can increase blood flow and circulation and this is how it can help speed up the healing process and alleviate pain. The human body contains a magnetic charge that is essential for it to function. Meteorites with iron are very good for arthritis and joint pain. They can also be directly bandaged onto an affected area or onto acupressure points.

Meteorites are filled with information from another time and space. When taking this I, the alchemist, report of remendous heightened feeling in the pineal gland and synchronization of the hemispheres of the brain. Lots of downloads so great for meditation. An out of this world experience to say the least.