Gao–Guenie meteorite explained

Gao–Guenie
Type:	Chondrite
Class:	Ordinary chondrite
Group:	H5
Country:	Burkina Faso
Region:	Sissili and Ziro provinces
Lat Long:	11.65°N -13°W
Observed Fall:	Yes
Fall Date:	March 5, 1960
Tkw:	probably over 1000 kg

Gao–Guenie is a H5 ordinary chondrite meteorite that fell on Burkina Faso, West Africa, on March 5, 1960. The fall was composed of many fragments and it is one of the largest observed meteorite showers in Africa to date.

Name

The meteorites formerly known as Gao and Guenie in 1999 were officially paired and they name fused into the collective name Gao–Guenie.

History

Gao–Guenie meteorites fell in Burkina Faso on March 5, 1960 at 17:00 (local time). After three separate detonations, several thousands of stones rained down over an area of about . The sound of the fall was heard as far as Ouagadougou, which is away. Eyewitnesses said that some trees were broken and henhouses destroyed. The largest stones recovered weigh up to .^{[1] [2]}

Composition and classification

Gao–Guenie is classified as H5 ordinary chondrite.

See also

• Glossary of meteoritics

Notes and References

1. Bourot-Denise . Michèle . Urbain Wenmenga . Mireille Christophe . 1998 . The Guenie and Gao chondrites from Burkina Faso: probably a single shower of stones . Meteoritics and Planetary Science . 33 . A181–A182 . 10.1111/j.1945-5100.1998.tb01330.x . free .
2. Book: Catalogue of meteorites: with special reference to those represented in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London; Vol. 1. 5th. Monica M. Grady . Cambridge University Press. 2000. 978-0-521-66303-8. 211.