chondrule

200px|thumb|Chondrules in the chondrite classification Grassland. A millimeter scale is shown. 200px|thumb|Chondrules in the Carbonaceous Chondrite NWA 13887 thumb|200x200px|Chondrules in a thin section of ordinary chondrite observed under polarized light/analyzed. A chondrule (from Ancient Greek χόνδρος chondros, grain) is a round grain found in a chondrite. Chondrules form as molten or partially molten droplets in space before being accreted to their parent asteroids. Because chondrites represent one of the oldest solid materials within the Solar System and are believed to be the building blocks of the planetary system, it follows that an understanding of the formation of chondrules is important to understand the initial development of the planetary system.

==Abundance and size== 200px|thumb|Closely packed Chondrules in CO3 Carbonaceous Chondrite meteorite NWA 10499