Title slide for a Night School presentation on meteorites. The slide features a blue-green background with a photograph of a star-filled night sky on the left, showing the Milky Way and a bright meteor streaking diagonally across the sky above a dark forest silhouette. On the right is the white Night School logo, consisting of a stylized owl icon and the words “NIGHT SCHOOL” in large uppercase letters.

An Introduction to Meteorites

25 November 2026 17:30 - 19:30 Virtual

25 November 2026 | 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual

Meteorites are fragments of rock and metal from space that survive passage through Earth's atmosphere and land on Earth. This introductory module explores where meteorites come from, how they are classified, and what they can reveal about the formation and evolution of the Solar System.

Attendees will discover the differences between meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites, examine the main meteorite types, and learn why these remarkable specimens are important to both geology and planetary science.

The Geological Society Night School offers an engaging way to explore geoscience through live, expert-led online sessions designed for curious and enquiring minds. The courses provide an opportunity to discover a wide range of topics within geoscience, in a format that is welcoming, flexible, and accessible. Whether your interest lies in dinosaurs, volcanoes, space, or the history of geology, each session is designed to spark curiosity and build understanding in an enjoyable and approachable way.

These evening sessions introduce geoscience topics in a clear and informal style, making it easy for anyone to take part and engage. You do not need any previous knowledge to join. Whether you are discovering geoscience for the first time or returning to a long-held interest, Night School offers a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore new ideas.

For more information on Night School, including other courses that are taking place, click here.

This session will take place on Wednesday 25 November at 17:30 (GMT) via Zoom. Joining details will be sent out a few days before the session begins.

This module will last for approximately 2 hours. 

Please note this is a live session and therefore a recording will not be made available.

Close-up portrait of a person with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a black top, facing the camera indoors. The background is softly blurred, showing a bright workspace or laboratory setting with equipment and a red container visible behind the person. Lighting is even and natural, with the person centered in the frame.

Dr. Jennifer Mitchell

University of Minnesota

Jennifer is a planetary geologist specialising in ancient lavas and magmas from asteroids and Mars. She fell in love with planetary science during her MGeol degree at the University of Plymouth and went on to a PhD in the evolution of the 2nd largest asteroid in the solar system at Monash University in Australia, and got the chance to go meteorite hunting in the outback! These days, she works at the University of Minnesota and manages a lab and the meteorite collection, as well as teaching a range of geoscience courses.

 

Standard £25

Concession* £15

*The concession rate is available students, teachers, or retired individuals. Proof of concessionary status should be provided upon request.

 

Thanks to our educator, we have a limited number of complimentary places available on this course for those who may be facing hardship. Please contact us at nightschool@geolsoc.org.uk if you wish to be considered for one of these