Santa Vitoria do Palmar meteorite explained

Santa Vitoria do Palmar meteorite
Type:Ordinary chondrite[1]
Class:L3
Composition:Olivine (Fa0.5–35.2), pyroxene (Fs0.5–31.6)
Shock:S4
Weathering:W2
Country:Brazil
Region:Santa Vitoria do Palmar
Lat Long:-33.5094°N -53.4108°W
Observed Fall:Yes
Fall Date:1997-06-25
Found Date:2003-03 & 2004-02

The Santa Vitoria do Palmar meteorite was found near the city of Santa Vitoria do Palmar in Brazil in 2003 (three stones) and 2004 (one stone).

History

On June 25 1997 at 07:00 local time a dramatic blue and green fireball and coal black smoke trail set against a clear blue sky was witnessed by many people in the area.[2]

The first three stones were found by Roberto Macielin while collecting Indian arrows in March 2003. The fourth by Lautaro Côrreira in February 2004.

, pieces of the Santa Vitoria do Palmar meteorite were advertised online at around /g.[3]

Mineralogy

The surface of the meteorite is covered in a fusion crust with several indentations (regmaglypts). The meteorite is almost entirely made from chondrules. They range in size from 0.2- with the largest being in diameter. Both the matrix and chondrules contain olivine and pyroxene. Accessory minerals include meteoric iron (kamacite, taenite and plessite), magnetite, troilite, plagioclase, schreibersite, maskelynite and chromite.[4]

Classification

The meteorite is classified as an Ordinary chondrite of the L group. The petrologic type is 3. Shock stage is 3 or 4 and weathering is class 2.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Santa Vitoria do Palmar. Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Meteoritical Society. 23 December 2012.
  2. Web site: Buhl. Dr. Svend. Santa Vitoria do Palmar meteorite. Meteorite Recon. 23 December 2012.
  3. Web site: Santa Vitoria do Palmar, L3. 23 December 2012.
  4. Zucolotto. Maria Elizabeth. Loiva Lizia Antonello . Studies of Brazilian meteorites of the Museu Nacional I: Petrography and mineralogy of the Santa Vitória do Palmar, Rio Grande do Sul, L 3 chondrite meteorite. Arquivos do Museu Nacional. 2008. 66. 611–629. 26 December 2012.