LAP 02205 a lunar mare basalt from the LaPaz Icefield (left); RBT 04262 an olivine, orthopyroxene-phyric shergottite from the
Roberts Massif (right).

The meteorites lie on the surface of the ice, thus show less weathering than a similar meteorite found in temperate climates; in addition, because of the absence of industrial pollutants, they remain relatively uncontaminated. Extra efforts are made to document each sample, to provide clean containers, and to maintain the samples in a cold environment until the adhering snow and ice can be removed in the laboratory by sublimation.   Although many of the meteorites fell tens of thousands to a million years ago, they are still remarkably fresh and uncontaminated, having been preserved within the ice. In handling the meteorites, precautions are taken to preserve them from degradation and contamination. They are taken to the Meteorite Curation Facility at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), where they are processed in the controlled atmosphere cabinets formerly used to process lunar samples. The water- and oxygen- free nitrogen gas in the cabinets keeps the meteorites from oxidation (rusting) and from contamination by environmental pollutants such as organic compounds, heavy metals, and salts, which could reduce the scientific value of the specimens. At JSC, the meteorite samples are chipped, sawed, weighed, and photographed in nitrogen cabinets without exposure to the air or to any cooling fluids.

Stainless steel chipping bowls, hammer, and chisels (left and center) and rock splitter (right) used to process Antarctic meteorites in the US collection at NASA Johnson Space Center.

This large collection of meteorites has fostered a large amount of research leading to a better understanding of the early solar system, and the origin of asteroids and comets.  The large numbers have provided rare and unusual meteorites, thus adding to the diversity of known materials, as well as providing additional samples of already known (mature) meteorite groups.  Recognition of lunar and martian meteorites have led to a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon and Mars.  Finally, because meteorites in space absorb and record cosmic radiation, the time elapsed since the meteorite impacted the Earth can be determined from laboratory studies. The elapsed time since fall, or terrestrial residence age, of a meteorite represents additional information that might be useful in environmental studies of Antarctic ice sheets.

A file containing a complete listing of Antarctic meteorites in the U.S. collection is available for download here. 

File and discussion were originally provided by Dr. Jeffrey Grossman, U.S. Geological Survey, from samples announced between 1978 and  2000; material presented here now has been revised and updated by Kevin Righter, JSC Antarctic Meteorite Curator, in order to reflect the thousands of new samples and revised classifications. 
Additional information about these samples, and any others officially recognized by the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society, can also be accessed at The Meteoritical Society website.