Sikhote-Alin Meteorite — From The Largest Meteorite Shower Since The Beginning Of Civilization

This meteorite originates from what is among the most frightening natural phenomena ever experienced: one of the largest meteorite showers of the past several thousand years. Descending over Siberia's Sikhote-Alin Mountains at 10:30 AM on February 12, 1947, the enormous Sikhote-Alin fireball resulted in more than sixty tons of iron meteorites raining down in Siberia at the eastern edge of the Asian continent. While impact craters were created and trees impaled, no one was killed or injured as the epicenter of the impact was 60 kilometers from the closest village. There are two types of Sikhote-Alin meteorites: the more sought-after gently scalloped specimens that broke free of the main mass in the upper atmosphere which acquired the aerodynamic thumb prints known as “regmaglypts”, and the jagged, twisted specimens from the low-altitude explosion previously described. This is an example of the former. Blanketed with a gunmetal patina and chrome highlights, this flange-like meteorite is covered with regmaglypts on both sides with small patches of fusion crust. Originating from the core of an asteroid between Jupiter and Mars and part of one of the most frightening meteorite showers of modern times (which had its 75^th anniversary earlier this year) now offered is a surprisingly dense and engaging example of a choice Sikhote Alin meteorite.