Meteorite (157.16g)

specimen number:
1052516

location:
Namibia

description:
A thin slice of and iron nickel meteorite. This weighs 157.16 g.

The Gibeon meteorite shower occurred in prehistoric times, scattering thousands of fragments over a vast area of Great Namaqualand in what is now southern Namibia. Geologically, these are fine octahedrite iron meteorites belonging to the IVA chemical group, composed primarily of an iron-nickel alloy with distinctive crystalline structures. Historically, the local Nama people had known of and used the iron for generations to craft tools and weapons before the site was officially recorded by Western explorers. In 1836, the English captain James Alexander sent samples to London, where they were confirmed to be of extraterrestrial origin. The debris field, or strewn field, is one of the largest on Earth, covering an area approximately 275 kilometers long and 100 kilometers wide. Today, the Namibian government protects these meteorites as national monuments, and a famous display of large Gibeon fragments is a central landmark in the Post Street Mall in Windhoek.

For collectors and scientists, Gibeon is prized for its spectacular Widmanstatten pattern, a unique geometric lattice that appears when the metal is cut and etched with acid. This pattern forms over millions of years as the molten core of an asteroid cools at an incredibly slow rate, allowing the minerals kamacite and taenite to intergrow in a precise structural arrangement. Because this process cannot be replicated in a laboratory, the presence of these cooling lines is a definitive signature of space-born iron. The Gibeon meteorite is also noted for its stability and resistance to rust compared to other iron meteorites, making it a preferred material for high-end jewelry and watch faces. While the export of new finds is strictly regulated by Namibian law, historical specimens remain some of the most recognizable and aesthetically pleasing examples of planetary core material available for study.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.