Sideritic

Sideritic

Asteroid Type / Class - UAS Classification M-Class

Classically called M-class asteroids, these asteroids are composed almost entirely of nickel-iron. They represent a source of great mineral wealth, and are often the sites of mining operations by colonists. Because of the relative scarcity of such heavy elements in the pre-solar nebula, these are typically the largest metal rich bodies to be found in solar systems

Definition of term
siderite (ˈsaɪdəˌraɪt)

n

1. (Minerals) Also called: chalybite a pale yellow to brownish-black mineral consisting chiefly of iron carbonate in hexagonal crystalline form. It occurs mainly in ore veins and sedimentary rocks and is an important source of iron. Formula: FeCO3

2. (Astronomy) a meteorite consisting principally of metallic iron