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Lot 4422
Extremely Large Sikhote-Alin Iron Meteorite
16 May 2018, 10:00 PDT
Los AngelesUS$16,000 - US$20,000
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Extremely Large Sikhote-Alin Iron Meteorite
Iron-Nickel
Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Siberia
This rare, extremely large Sikhote-Alin iron-nickel meteorite is a very attractive and most interesting example of a shrapnel-type Sikhote-Alin. The enormous explosion that took place on Feb. 10, 1947, high above the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of Siberia, tore the meteorite into thousands of smaller pieces and knocked people off their feet several miles away from the blast. The first explosion was high up in the atmosphere; meteorites from this initial explosion exhibit regmaglypts (thumbprints) due to melting. The secondary explosions occurred much closer to the ground and these meteorites show the ripping force of the explosion, which resulted in torn edges and jagged shapes. The present distinctive specimen shows signs of the explosive shearing force, displaying sharp edges. Also seen are rare, desirable flow lines emanating in many directions, providing the opportunity to view original flow patterns in a fresh meteorite. The reverse side exhibits many small craters, produced by the impact of other smaller pieces of the meteorite, which were scattered throughout the atmosphere during the meteorite's explosive entry. This is one of the largest Sikhote-Alin meteorites to be offered at auction and is larger than most museum specimens. Measuring 10 x 9in; Weighs 24 ½ pounds (11.11 kilos)
Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Siberia
This rare, extremely large Sikhote-Alin iron-nickel meteorite is a very attractive and most interesting example of a shrapnel-type Sikhote-Alin. The enormous explosion that took place on Feb. 10, 1947, high above the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of Siberia, tore the meteorite into thousands of smaller pieces and knocked people off their feet several miles away from the blast. The first explosion was high up in the atmosphere; meteorites from this initial explosion exhibit regmaglypts (thumbprints) due to melting. The secondary explosions occurred much closer to the ground and these meteorites show the ripping force of the explosion, which resulted in torn edges and jagged shapes. The present distinctive specimen shows signs of the explosive shearing force, displaying sharp edges. Also seen are rare, desirable flow lines emanating in many directions, providing the opportunity to view original flow patterns in a fresh meteorite. The reverse side exhibits many small craters, produced by the impact of other smaller pieces of the meteorite, which were scattered throughout the atmosphere during the meteorite's explosive entry. This is one of the largest Sikhote-Alin meteorites to be offered at auction and is larger than most museum specimens. Measuring 10 x 9in; Weighs 24 ½ pounds (11.11 kilos)