1. Henbury Meteorite
This 4,800-year-old stony-iron meteorite is estimated to have originated from the Vesta asteroid in our solar system. Measuring approximately 13 kg (29 lbs) and with a diameter of 16 cm (6.3 inches), it was found in Australia in 1967 by a group of geologists searching for meteorites. The Henbury Meteorite has been extensively studied, shedding light on the early formation of our solar system's iron-rich asteroids. It is also notable for its unique fusion crust, which provides insights into the intense heating processes that occurred during meteoroid impacts.
2. Murchison Meteorite
This 4,800-year-old stony meteorite is estimated to have originated from the main asteroid belt in our solar system. Weighing approximately 89 kg (196 lbs), it was found in Australia's Outback in 1969 by a team of geologists and astronomers searching for meteorites. The Murchison Meteorite has been extensively studied, revealing a unique mixture of carbonaceous chondrites and silicate-rich materials. It is also known for its well-preserved cratering features and shock metamorphism.
3. Tagish Lake Meteorite
This 26-million-year-old iron meteorite was found in Canada's Yukon territory in 2000 by a team of researchers searching for meteorites. Measuring approximately 6 kg (13 lbs) and with a diameter of 16 cm (6.3 inches), it is one of the largest iron meteorites ever discovered in North America. The Tagish Lake Meteorite has been extensively studied, providing insights into the evolution of the Earth's magnetic field over millions of years.
4. Sikhote-Alin Meteorite
This 26-million-year-old iron meteorite was found in Russia's Far East in 1947 by a team of miners searching for coal. Weighing approximately 72 metric tons (79 US tons), it is one of the largest iron meteorites ever discovered and still retains some of its original shock morphology. The Sikhote-Alin Meteorite has been extensively studied, shedding light on the formation of the Earth's core-mantle boundary.
5. Campo del Cielo Meteorite
This 4,800-year-old stony-iron meteorite is estimated to have originated from the main asteroid belt in our solar system. Measuring approximately 13 kg (29 lbs) and with a diameter of 19 cm (7.5 inches), it was found in Argentina in 1838 by Spanish miners searching for copper. The Campo del Cielo Meteorite has been extensively studied, revealing a unique mixture of carbonaceous chondrites and silicate-rich materials.
6. Chelyabinsk Meteorite
This 18 million-year-old iron meteorite was found in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1938 by a team of miners searching for coal. Weighing approximately 700 kg (1,543 lbs), it is one of the largest iron meteorites ever discovered and still retains some of its original shock morphology. The Chelyabinsk Meteorite has been extensively studied, providing insights into the formation of meteoroid streams.
7. Nakhla Meteorite
This 4,500-year-old stony meteorite is estimated to have originated from the main asteroid belt in our solar system. Measuring approximately 2 kg (4.4 lbs) and with a diameter of 8 cm (3.1 inches), it was found in Egypt in 1865 by a British engineer searching for copper. The Nakhla Meteorite has been extensively studied, revealing a unique mixture of carbonaceous chondrites and silicate-rich materials.
8. Mbozi Meteorite
This 4,000-year-old iron meteorite was found in Tanzania in 1922 by a team of miners searching for copper. Weighing approximately 20 kg (44 lbs), it is one of the largest iron meteorites ever discovered in Africa and still retains some of its original shock morphology. The Mbozi Meteorite has been extensively studied, providing insights into the formation of meteoroid streams.
9. Gibeon Meteorite
This 4,000-year-old stony-iron meteorite is estimated to have originated from the main asteroid belt in our solar system. Measuring approximately 3 kg (6.6 lbs) and with a diameter of 10 cm (3.9 inches), it was found in Namibia in 1898 by a German engineer searching for copper. The Gibeon Meteorite has been extensively studied, revealing a unique mixture of carbonaceous chondrites and silicate-rich materials.
10. Acraman Meteorite
This 590-million-year-old iron meteorite is estimated to have originated from the early solar system's asteroid belt. Weighing approximately 1 kg (2.2 lbs) and with a diameter of 4 cm (1.6 inches), it was found in Australia in 1969 by a team of geologists searching for meteorites. The Acraman Meteorite has been extensively studied, providing insights into the early formation of the Earth's iron-rich asteroids and the solar system's asteroid belt evolution.