Gebel Kamil (meteorite)

Summary

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]

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.
Related media on Wikimedia Commons

History edit

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 edit

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

The Gebel Kamil meteorite contains the minerals schreibersite and kamacite.

Classification edit

The Gebel Kamil meteorite has been classified as an ataxite.

See also edit

References edit

  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.