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Where was the Hoba meteorite found, and why is it notable?
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Meteor and meteoroid
The Cabin Creek meteorite, an iron (nickel-iron alloy) meteorite that was observed to fall in northwestern Arkansas on March 27, 1886. Its characteristic pattern of “thumbprint” dimples, or regmaglypts, is the result of melting and consequent ablation of its surface as it traveled through the atmosphere. The meteorite is likely a fragment of one of the M class asteroids, which show significant nickel-iron in their surface material.
The Hoba meteorite was discovered in 1920 on a farm named Hoba West, located near Grootfontein in northern Namibia.1
It is notable for several reasons:
- Size: It is the largest intact meteorite ever found on Earth, weighing approximately 60 tons.1
- Composition: It is considered the largest natural piece of iron on the planet, consisting of about 82.3 percent iron, 16.4 percent nickel, and 0.8 percent cobalt.1
- Impact History: It is believed to have entered Earth’s atmosphere at a shallow angle, allowing it to strike the ground at a relatively low speed. Consequently, it remains at its original impact site, having never been moved.1
The site was declared a national monument in 1955 to protect the object from vandalism and is now a popular destination for visitors.1