Lot 4005* - A211 Out of This World - Tuesday, 03. December 2024, 05.00 PM
PIECE OF THE GIBEON METEORITE
Gibeon
Kalahari Desert, Namibia
Found in 1836
2.2 kg
15.5 × 16 × 5 cm
Kalahari Desert, Namibia
Found in 1836
2.2 kg
15.5 × 16 × 5 cm
The Gibeon meteorite formed 4.5 billion years ago deep within the molten core of an asteroid whose shattered remains were part of the asteroid belt, residing between Mars and Jupiter. After wandering through interplanetary space, the Gibeon meteorite entered our atmosphere about 13 000–30 000 years ago. Its mass slammed into Earth’s atmosphere as a brilliant fireball, where it exploded and rained down over what is now the Kalahari Desert in Namibia. Its black, pitted crust formed when the meteorite's outer layer melted in flight.
In previous generations, indigenous tribes recovered small meteorite fragments at or near the surface and fashioned them into spear points and other tools. This meteorite became known to the scientific world when it was discovered in 1836. Gibeon is an iron meteorite, classified as a group IVA fine octahedrite and is composed mostly of iron (91.8%) and nickel (7.7%) with about 0.5% other trace elements.
Presented here is a piece of the Gibeon meteorite. It not only impresses due to its size but also its elegant shape and mysterious dark colour – a great addition to any collection.
In previous generations, indigenous tribes recovered small meteorite fragments at or near the surface and fashioned them into spear points and other tools. This meteorite became known to the scientific world when it was discovered in 1836. Gibeon is an iron meteorite, classified as a group IVA fine octahedrite and is composed mostly of iron (91.8%) and nickel (7.7%) with about 0.5% other trace elements.
Presented here is a piece of the Gibeon meteorite. It not only impresses due to its size but also its elegant shape and mysterious dark colour – a great addition to any collection.
CHF 6 000 / 8 000 | (€ 6 190 / 8 250)