THE METEORITE HUNTERS: On the Trail of Extraterrestrial Treasures and the Secrets Inside Them

Meteors have entranced us for centuries. But these extraterrestrial visitors are also inestimably valuable, not just for collectors but for scientists, too. Meteorites are the most ancient objects we know, unblemished time capsules from the birth of the solar system. As scientists uncover their secrets, we wonder: How did life on Earth begin? Color photos.