Mbosi meteorite

Mbosi
Main mass near Mbeya, Tanzania
TypeIron
GroupUngrouped[1]
CompositionMeteoric iron (8 % Ni), Silicate inclusions
CountryTanzania
RegionSongwe
Coordinates09°06′28″S 33°02′15″E / 9.10778°S 33.03750°E / -9.10778; 33.03750[2][a]
Observed fallNo
Found date1930
TKW16 metric tons (16 long tons; 18 short tons)[1]
Alternative namesKimwondo (local name)
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Mbosi Meteorite, Tanzania

Mbosi is an ungrouped iron meteorite found in Tanzania. It is one of the world's largest meteorites, variously estimated as the fourth-largest to the eighth-largest, it is located near the city of Mbeya in Tanzania's southern highlands. The meteorite is 3 metres (9.8 ft) long, 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) high, and weighs an estimated 16 metric tons (16 long tons; 18 short tons).[1]

Discovery and naming

Mbosi has been long known to locals, who call it kimondo, yet became known to outsiders only in the 1930s. It is named after Mbozi District, in Mbeya (Tanzania). When it was discovered by scientists in 1930 it didn't have a crater.[3]

Mineralogy

Mbosi consists of meteoric iron with small silicate inclusions. The meteoric iron has a nickel concentration of 8% and shows Widmanstätten pattern. The Germanium-Gallium ratio is larger than 10, which can also be seen in meteorites of the IIF iron meteorite group and the Eagle station pallasites.[4]

The silicate inclusions have a core and mantle structure in thin section. The mantle is made from glass, that partially devitrified into pyroxene and plagioclase. The core consists of quartz.[4]

Classification

Currently classified as an ungrouped iron meteorite Mbosi shows similarities with IIF iron meteorites, the Eagle station pallasites and a few other ungrouped iron meteorite (e.g. Bocaiuva meteorite).[1][4]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Coordinates were verified using satellite images.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Mbosi". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Lunar and Planetary Institute. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  2. ^ Buchwald, Vagn F. (1975). Handbook of Iron Meteorites. Their History, Distribution, Composition and Structure. Vol. 2: Iron Meteorites: Abakan - Mejillones. University of California Press. p. 814. ISBN 0-520-02934-8. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  3. ^ Seven Most Massive Single Meteorite Fragments on Earth Archived 2012-11-27 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b c OLSEN, Edward J.; CLAYTON, Robert N.; MAYEDA, Toshiko K.; DAVIS, Andrew M.; CLARKE, Roy S.; WASSON, John T. (1 September 1996). "Mbosi: An anomalous iron with unique silicate inclusions". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 31 (5): 633–639. Bibcode:1996M&PS...31..633O. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.1996.tb02036.x.
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