Gibeon (meteorite)

Meteorite
Name= Gibeon


Image_caption= Gibeon meteorites in Post Street Mall, Windhoek
Image_width= 200px
Type= Iron
Class=
Group= IVA
Structural_classification= Fine octahedrite
Composition= 91,8% Fe; 7,7% Ni; 0,5% Co; 0,04% P; 2,4 ppm Ir; 1,97 ppm Ga; 0,111 ppm Ge
Shock=
Weathering=
Country= Namibia
Region= Great Namaqualand
Lat_Long= coord|25|20|S|18|00|E|display=inline,title
Observed_fall= No
Fall_date= prehistoric times
Found_date= 1838
TKW= 26000 Kg


Image2_caption= Widmanstätten pattern

Gibeon is a meteorite fallen in prehistoric times in Namibia. It was named after the nearest town: Gibeon (Namibia).

History

It was discovered by natives (Namaqua) and used to build arrows and other tools.

In 1836 [ [http://tin.er.usgs.gov/meteor/metbull.php?sea=gibeon&sfor=names&ants=&falls=&stype=contains&lrec=50&
] ] the English capitain J. E. Alexander collected some samples in the Great Fish River area and send them to London. Here John Herschel analized them and confirmed for the first time the extraterrestrial nature of the material.

trewn field

The fragments in the strewn field are dispersed over a 275 km long and 100 km wide elliplical-shaped area.

Composition and classification

Gibeon meteorites are made of an iron-nickel alloy, but contain also cobalt and phosphorous.The cristal structure of this meteorite is a classical example of fine octahedrite and the Widmanstatten pattern aesthetically appreciated both by collectors and jewel designers.

Notes