Gebel Kamil (meteorite)

Gebel Kamil

Some pieces of the Gebel Kamil iron meteorite.
Type Iron
Structural classification Ataxite[1]
Group Ungrouped[2]
Composition Nickel 19.7%[1]
Country Egypt[2]
Region Al Wadi al Jadid, East Uweinat Desert
Coordinates 22°01′06″N 26°05′16″E / 22.01833°N 26.08778°E / 22.01833; 26.08778Coordinates: 22°01′06″N 26°05′16″E / 22.01833°N 26.08778°E / 22.01833; 26.08778[2]
Observed fall No[2]
Found date 2009-02-19[2]
TKW 1,600 kilograms (3,500 lb)[2]
Strewn field Yes

A slice of the Gebel Kamil meteorite showing schreibersite rimmed by kamacite.

Gebel Kamil is a meteorite that struck Egypt about 5000 years ago leaving a crater surrounded by thousands of pieces of iron shrapnel with a total weight of about 1,600 kilograms (3,500 lb).[2]

History

In February 2009 and 2010, meteorite fragments with masses ranging from < 1 gram (0.035 oz) to 35 kilograms (77 lb), plus an 83 kilograms (183 lb) specimen, were found in and around a 45 metres (148 ft) radius from Kamil Crater by an Italian-Egyptian geophysical team.[2] About 800 kilograms (1,800 lb) was recovered.[2] The geophysical survey took place as part of the "2009 Italian-Egyptian Year of Science and Technology".[2]

Mineralogy

A 60 grams (2.1 oz) fragment from the Gebel Kamil meteorite.

The Gebel Kamil meteorite contains the minerals schreibersite and kamacite.

Classification

The Gebel Kamil meteorite has been classified as an ataxite.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Gebel Kamil Meteorite". Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Gebel Kamil". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
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