This was found in Western Australia at Mundrabilla in the Nullabor Plain.
The first 3 pieces were called "Premier Downs" and were found in 1911 and 1918.
The two largest masses around 10 to 12 tons and 4-6 tons were found in 1966.
Two other masses were found in 1979 weighing 1640 kg.
Which brings the total known weight to a total of 17 tons.
Murchison
Murchison - Victoria, Australia
Type - Stone Carbonaceous chondrite
Class -(CM2)
Fell - Fell on September 28, 1969
Discovering a Left-Handed Link to Space: Amino Acids Found in Meteorite
Findings published February 14, 1997
Many left-handed amino acids were found inside the Murchison meteorite.
Most were kinds not found on Earth.
Scientists found evidence in Murchison fragments that life-forming,
left-handed amino acids may have originated in deep space.
From deep within the meteorite, Dr. John Cronin and Dr. Sandra Pizzarello
extracted amino acids not found on earth.
These amino acids were predominantly left-handed, the kind that could give a kick-start to life.
So far, 93 different amino acids have been identified in the Murchison meteorite.
Of these, only 19 are also found on Earth.
The remaining amino acids have no apparent terrestrial source.
This discovery led scientists to consider the possibility that Earth's life forms originated
elsewhere in the universe. And the same cosmic process that may have helped
life arise on Earth could also be seeding life elsewhere in the universe.
Moldavite
These translucent green stones known as Moldavite are the only known gems from space. These glassy objects are called by scientists Tektites. Moldavite fell over the Moldau River valley in Czechoslovakia about 15 million years ago. Scientists still debate whether tektites are true meteorites or are formed by the fusion of meteoric materials with earthly rock. Prized by humans for thousands of years they are still given as gifts.
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Moldavite
These translucent green stones known as Moldavite are the only known gems from space. These glassy objects are called by scientists Tektites. Moldavite fell over the Moldau River valley in Czechoslovakia about 15 million years ago. Scientists still debate whether tektites are true meteorites or are formed by the fusion of meteoric materials with earthly rock. Prized by humans for thousands of years they are still given as gifts.
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New Orleans
New Orleans - New Orleans,Louisiana U.S.A.
Type - Stone, Olivine chondrite
Class -(H5)
Fell - September 23, 2003 4:00p.m.
A single piece weighting 19.25 kilo's crashed thru the roof of a house.
Magazine article about New Orleans meteorite
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North Branch
North Branch - Jewel County, Kansas. U.S.A.
Type - Stone, Olivine chondrite
Class -(H5)
Recognized - This year in 1997
Found -1972
A single piece weighting 76 kilo's was found in a grain field in 1972. The person who found it, brought it to a local university, they said he did not have a meteorite.
Then in early 1997 it was recognized as a genuine meteorite. It must have been an unusual looking rock to have been kept it all that time.
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Norton County
Norton County - Norton County, Kansas. U.S.A.
Type - Stone -Achondrite
Class - Aubrite -(AUB)
Fell -February 18, 1948 about 5:00 p.m.
This is only 1 of 62 meteorites classified as Aubrite, as of 01/11/2012.
A fireball was sighted by people from several states, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas. There were various things
it was reported to be, a rocket, a bomb, a space ship, etc. This meteorite does not respond to a magnet well, theres only small
amounts of iron in it, only 1.60% total. Over 100 stones were recovered including one about 1 ton and another one at 131.5 lb.
It took several weeks to find it, the first piece found was on April 6. Later a large mass was offered for sale to the highest bidder.
The University of New Mexico and The University of Nebraska combined had outbid the man who had found it, they said it was in the interest
of safeguarding research.This man later proved to have done far more research in meteorites than both these institutions combined.
The mans name was Harvey H. Nininger - The grandfather of meteorite collecting.
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Norton County
Norton County - Norton County, Kansas. U.S.A.
Type - Stone -Achondrite
Class - Aubrite -(AUB)
Fell -February 18, 1948 about 5:00 p.m.
A fireball was sighted by people from several states, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas. There were various things it was reported to be, a rocket, a bomb, a space ship, etc. This meteorite does not respond to a magnet well, theres only small amounts of iron in it, only 1.60% total. Over 100 stones were recovered including one about 1 ton and another one at 131.5 lb. It took several weeks to find it, the first piece found was on April 6. Later a large mass was offered for sale to the highest bidder. The University of New Mexico and The University of Nebraska combined had outbid the man who had found it, they said it was in the interest of safeguarding research.
This man later proved to have done far more research in meteorites than both these institutions
combined. The mans name was Harvey H. Nininger
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Nuevo Mercurio
Nuevo Mercurio-
Type- Stone,Olivine-Bronzite Chondrite
Class-(H5)
Fell- on Dec 15,1978
On the evening of December 15,1978 a bright fireball was observed traveling over North Central Mexico. It exploded, raining down hundreds of small black stony meteorites into the desert and ranches near the small town of Nuevo Mercurio. The noises were described as a freight train. Some 40 kilograms were recovered.The one pictured here has red-black fusion crust.
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NWA
NWA - Northwest Africa
Type- Stone
Class - Chondrite
Found - 2000 & 2001 - Northwest Africa
One of the most remarkable biogeochemical phenomena in arid desert regions
of the world is desert varnish. Although it may be only a hundredth of a
millimeter in thickness, desert varnish often colors entire desert mountain
ranges black or reddish brown. Desert varnish is a thin coating (patina) of
manganese, iron and clays on the surface of sun-baked boulders.
Desert varnish is formed by colonies of microscopic bacteria living on the rock
surface for thousands of years. The bacteria absorb trace amounts of
manganese and iron from the atmosphere and precipitate it as a black layer
of manganese oxide or reddish iron oxide on the rock surfaces. This thin
layer also includes cemented clay particles which help to shield the
bacteria against desiccation, extreme heat and intense solar radiation. It
has been estimated that up to 10,000 years are required for a complete
varnish coating to form on boulders in extreme arid desert regions.
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NWA 869
NWA 869 - Northwest Africa
Type- Stone
Class - Chondrite - (L4-6)
Found - 2000 & 2001 - Northwest Africa
One of the most remarkable biogeochemical phenomena in arid desert regions
of the world is desert varnish. Although it may be only a hundredth of a
millimeter in thickness, desert varnish often colors entire desert mountain
ranges black or reddish brown. Desert varnish is a thin coating (patina) of
manganese, iron and clays on the surface of sun-baked boulders.
Desert varnish is formed by colonies of microscopic bacteria living on the rock
surface for thousands of years. The bacteria absorb trace amounts of
manganese and iron from the atmosphere and precipitate it as a black layer
of manganese oxide or reddish iron oxide on the rock surfaces. This thin
layer also includes cemented clay particles which help to shield the
bacteria against desiccation, extreme heat and intense solar radiation. It
has been estimated that up to 10,000 years are required for a complete
varnish coating to form on boulders in extreme arid desert regions.
This meteorite has a nice coating of reddish brown desert varnish on it.
Ochansk
Ochansk - Perm,Federated SSR, Russia
Type - Stone, Olivine bronzite chondrite, brecciated
Class -(H4)
Fell - 0n August 30,1887 - 1300 Hours
After an appearance of a meteor and a many detonations, a shower of stones totaling 500kg fell in the village of Tabory, near Okhansk.
The largest weighing 115kg. The Ochansk above is coated with opticon. Opticon is a epoxy resin used to seal fractures and/or cracks. Ochansk is a very friable meteorite, with out opticon you can not sand or polish it, the meteorite would crumble and fall apart.
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