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The Macovich Collection of Meteorites
Lot 1129
Sikhote-Alin Meteorite—Unusual Crescent-Shaped Meteorite from the Largest Meteorite Shower Since the Dawn of Civilization
27 May 2010, 13:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$4,270 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistSikhote-Alin Meteorite—Unusual Crescent-Shaped Meteorite from the Largest Meteorite Shower Since the Dawn of Civilization
Iron, coarse octahedrite
Maritime Territory, Siberia, Russia
With a steel-gray fusion crust and natural oxidized patina, this is a select, highly animated specimen from one of the most frightening phenomena of all time. This crescent-shaped meteorite, which will never cease to amaze and enthrall, originates from what had to be among the most frightening natural phenomena ever experienced: the largest meteorite shower since the dawn of civilization. Accompanied by terrifying sonic detonations, it was at 10.30AM on February 12, 1947 that the sky seemed ablaze above the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of Siberia. Prior to atmospheric entry, this meteorite was traveling at a cosmic velocity of 10-20 miles/second before atmospheric frictional heating acted as the hottest of torches sculpting this meteorite into the compelling object presently offered. The monumental forces exerted on this meteorite as it rocketed through the atmosphere are amply evident; it is blanketed with fusion crust and scores of regmaglypts (the aerodynamic thumbprints which result from its fiery plunge through Earth's atmosphere). Moreover, there is evidence this specimen was shorn from a larger mass during its descent to Earth. On both the bottom and reverse of this meteorite there are partial thumbprints whose formation was interrupted when the meteorite slowed down in the atmosphere; the prototypical atmospheric smoothing of its jagged, ripped surface is not quite complete. A close examination of the surface details mesmerize. This is a superlative example of a cataclysmic event frozen in time, from the most terrifying meteorite shower of modern times. Accompanied by a custom armature, measures 137 x 77 x 48mm (5.25 x 3 x 2in) and weighs 1094 grams (2.5 pounds)
Maritime Territory, Siberia, Russia
With a steel-gray fusion crust and natural oxidized patina, this is a select, highly animated specimen from one of the most frightening phenomena of all time. This crescent-shaped meteorite, which will never cease to amaze and enthrall, originates from what had to be among the most frightening natural phenomena ever experienced: the largest meteorite shower since the dawn of civilization. Accompanied by terrifying sonic detonations, it was at 10.30AM on February 12, 1947 that the sky seemed ablaze above the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of Siberia. Prior to atmospheric entry, this meteorite was traveling at a cosmic velocity of 10-20 miles/second before atmospheric frictional heating acted as the hottest of torches sculpting this meteorite into the compelling object presently offered. The monumental forces exerted on this meteorite as it rocketed through the atmosphere are amply evident; it is blanketed with fusion crust and scores of regmaglypts (the aerodynamic thumbprints which result from its fiery plunge through Earth's atmosphere). Moreover, there is evidence this specimen was shorn from a larger mass during its descent to Earth. On both the bottom and reverse of this meteorite there are partial thumbprints whose formation was interrupted when the meteorite slowed down in the atmosphere; the prototypical atmospheric smoothing of its jagged, ripped surface is not quite complete. A close examination of the surface details mesmerize. This is a superlative example of a cataclysmic event frozen in time, from the most terrifying meteorite shower of modern times. Accompanied by a custom armature, measures 137 x 77 x 48mm (5.25 x 3 x 2in) and weighs 1094 grams (2.5 pounds)
Footnotes
Provenance: The Macovich Collection of Meteorites