Final answer:
Option D.
Metallic meteorites, with a composition similar to Earth's core made mostly of iron and some nickel, exhibit the closest characteristics compared to the other types of meteorites listed.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which type of meteorite exhibits characteristics similar to the Earth's core, we consider the composition of the Earth's core and the classification of meteorites.
The Earth's core is made up of dense metals, specifically about 85% iron and the remainder largely nickel. This aligns with the composition of metallic meteorites, which are believed to be derived from the metal cores of their parent celestial bodies.
Hence, when we compare the meteorite types - stony, mesosphere, asthenosphere, and metallic - it is the metallic meteorites that have very similar characteristics, including density, to the Earth's core.
Notably, this comparison excludes mesosphere and asthenosphere as these are layers within Earth, not types of meteorites, and stony meteorites, which are more representative of a planet's mantle or crust rather than its core.
Therefore, the final answer is d. Metallic.