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Gebel Kamil (meteorite)

Coordinates: 22°01′06″N 26°05′16″E / 22.01833°N 26.08778°E / 22.01833; 26.08778
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Gebel Kamil
Some pieces of the Gebel Kamil iron meteorite.
TypeIron
Structural classificationAtaxite[1]
GroupUngrouped[2]
CompositionNickel 19.7%[1]
CountryEgypt[2]
RegionAl Wadi al Jadid, East Uweinat Desert
Coordinates22°01′06″N 26°05′16″E / 22.01833°N 26.08778°E / 22.01833; 26.08778[2]
Observed fallNo[2]
Found date2009-02-19[2]
TKW1,600 kilograms (3,500 lb)[2]
Strewn fieldYes
A slice of the Gebel Kamil meteorite showing schreibersite rimmed by kamacite.
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Gebel Kamil is a meteorite that struck Egypt later than 3000 BC, 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

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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

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

The Gebel Kamil meteorite contains the minerals schreibersite and kamacite.

Classification

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The Gebel Kamil meteorite has been classified as an ataxite.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Gebel Kamil Meteorite". Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Gebel Kamil". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 8 January 2013.