El Boludo (meteorite)
El Boludo is a meteorite named after the nearest town to where it was found. All known pieces are currently owned by Aerolite Meteorites of Tucson, Arizona.
| El Boludo | |
|---|---|
| Type | H5 chondrite meteorite |
| Class | H5 |
| Composition | Fa19.3±0.3, Fe/Mn=40±1, n=9; low-Ca pyroxene Fs17.1±0.5Wo1.1±0.1, Fe/Mn=24±1, n=10 |
| Shock stage | S3 |
| Weathering grade | W2 |
| Country | Mexico |
| Region | Tamaulipas |
| Coordinates | 23°1.183′N 99°54.55′W |
| Observed fall | No |
| Fall date | prehistoric times |
| Found date | 2015 |
| TKW | 19.62 kilograms (19,620 g) |
History
Numerous meteorite fragments and whole stones were found in 2013 in Sonora, Mexico by American prospector Greg Bruce and his hunting partners while metal detecting for gold nuggets.[1] The first and largest complete individual, weighing 2,396 kilograms (2,396,000 g), was found on the surface a few kilometers northwest of the town of El Boludo in a dry wash. A search with metal detectors yielded smaller fragments and a few smaller whole stones.
All known specimens were purchased by Aerolite Meteorites of Tucson, Arizona, owned by Geoff Notkin. Aerolite Meteorites currently holds the main mass, while a 22 grams (0.022 kg) mass is held at the University of New Mexico’s Institute of Meteoritics.
El Boludo is one of 109 confirmed meteorites from Mexico, including El Tiro (meteorite), which was also held by Aerolite Meteorites.
Physical characteristics
Relatively small chondrules and abundant opaque grains set in a dark brown groundmass.
See also
References
- "Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for El Boludo". www.lpi.usra.edu.
External links
"El Boludo". Aerolite Meteorites. Retrieved 16 May 2018.