Introduction: The Netherlands host several meteorite collections including collections at Utrecht University, Delft University of Technology, and Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. Historically, these collections have been carefully stored without much exposure, even though meteorites are the ideal materials to study first-order properties of solar system materials. Exploring meteorites can offer an important formative learning experience, not only for students of all ages and experienced researchers, but also for the general public. The main challenges with studying meteorites are their preservation and handling, and the resulting small group sizes in which meteorites can be studied. Further motivated by the shift towards online teaching driven by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, we started exploring ways to make the meteorite collection accessible to students and the public at large. First, the Delft Meteorite Lab (DML, http://delftmeteoritelab.nl) was established, shortly followed by the Utrecht Meteorite Lab (UML, https://utrechtmeteoritelab.sites.uu.nl/).
Approach: The development of both online labs is largely driven by student participation. First, 2D images are taken of the meteorites, and displayed on the UML website, accompanied by a brief description, including name, location of fall or find, year of collection, and classification. Then, 3D representations of the meteorites are made via Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry using the software Agisoft Metashape Professional and stored on SketchFab, with links to the DML and UML websites. Of selected specimens thin sections are made and full thin section microscope photographs and sections in PPL and XPL will be added to the online collection (AXIOM).
Use in education: DML and UML are already actively used in education. The descriptions of the meteorites for the UML are written by the students as part of the Planetology, an Introduction course taught at the department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University. 3D models from the DML are used to familiarise students with properties of meteorites that can be related to specific processes, such as fusion crusts from ablation during atmospheric entry, compositional differences between differentiated and undifferentiated meteorites [1,2]. Also, the DML 3D models are used for a meteorite or meteorwrong practicum during the courses Planetary Science at BSc and MSc level.
Outreach: Over the past years, the 3D models have been used in several outreach activities. In an online lecture for the popular ‘Universiteit van Nederland’, we discussed several Dutch meteorites using 3D models in a chroma key (‘green screen’) environment to explain properties of meteorites, their taxonomy and implications for planet formation. Based on the renderings, 3D prints have been made of the Dutch Utrecht (’Loevenhoutje’ fragment) and Broek in Waterland meteorites for outreach activities at the Space Expo Museum. To mark the 150-year anniversary of the Diepenveen meteorite fall on 27 October 2023, 6:1 scaled model was created for a monument based on the 3D model of Diepenveen and revealed on the day of the impact anniversary in the town’s centre.
Outlook: Building upon our current experiences with the Delft Meteorite Lab focussing on photogrammetry workflow development and educational applications, and the Utrecht Meteorite Lab, linking to data from various material characterisation methods, we aim to create the ‘Dutch Meteorite Lab’as a national hub to explore meteorites in study collections found across the Netherlands.
References: [1] de Vet S. J. (2024) Proceedings of the IMC, Redu, 59-62 [2] Guedes D., Zucolotto M., Silva L., Brenha S., and Canelle J. B. (2010). Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement, MetSoc 73.@en