This image shows an element map of chondrules in the Renazzo meteorite. (sciencedaily.com)
To get a better sense of the role of chondrules in a fledgling solar system, the researchers first simulated collisions between protoplanets — rocky bodies between the size of an asteroid and the moon. (astrobio.net)
The vast majority are chondrites, pieces of asteroids filled with little glassy beads called chondrules. (science.sciencemag.org)