Sikhote-Alin Meteorite "The Devilfish". Iron, IIAB. Maritime Territory, Siberia, Russia - (46°09'36"N, 134° 39'12"E)...

Description

Sikhote-Alin Meteorite "The Devilfish"
Iron, IIAB
Maritime Territory, Siberia, Russia - (46°09'36"N, 134° 39'12"E)
Witnessed Fall: February 12, 1947, 10:30 am local time

This dynamic Sikhote-Alin complete individual appropriately dubbed "The Devilfish" weighs 99 grams and is highly regmaglypted, with a rare natural hole and a beak, among other obvious zoomorphic characteristics. From the paleontological rather than meteoritical standpoint, this meteorite actually resembles the skull of a prehistoric fish known as Xiphactinus that ruled the Western Interior Seaway during the Cretaceous Period when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The dark metallic mass has multiple flattened areas akin to a mineral specimen having contact points. This example of the famous Russian variety is complex, and the hole, while visible, is relatively pinhole in size. "The Devilfish" is one unusual Sikhote-Alin with 'attitude' well beyond its size.
Measurements: 2.11 x 1.63 x 1.05 inches (5.36 x 4.15 x 2.66 cm), weighs 99 grams

Provenance: The Geoff Notkin Collection

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