Monturaqui Collection (Group of 3). Antofagasta, Chile - (23° 55' 41"S, 68° 15' 42"W). ... (Total: 3 Items)

Description

Monturaqui Collection (Group of 3)
Antofagasta, Chile - (23° 55' 41"S, 68° 15' 42"W)

Monturaqui is an impact crater in Chile believed to be about 1 million years old, putting it at the far end of the timeframe in which meteorites are able to survive on Earth, even in ideal dry conditions. As such, only very small weathered fragments remain, which are extremely difficult to find. Monturaqui is one of the rarest of all crater-forming irons, and Geoff Notkin found three pieces during filming for the episode "Monturaqui Crater & San Juan, Chile" of his television series Meteorite Men which was episode three of the second season. This trio consists of one of the largest iron fragments found, the second impactite piece found, and a cut and polished fragment. The big fragment weighs 6.5 grams and displays a "burnt" texture with a dark black as well as contrasting pinkish coloration over its surface. The smaller fragment weighs 3.6 grams and has a polished window face. The impactite weighs 23 grams and has a rugged and irregular surface with an overall brownish coloration. The group comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Measurements: 1.56 x 1.44 x 1.25 inches (3.95 x 3.67 x 3.17 cm), weighs 33.2 grams in total

Provenance: The Geoff Notkin Collection

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