Lot 1002
Meteorite Rare Ataxite. Ataxites are a rare type of iron-nickel meteorite that do not exhibit a Widmanstatten pattern when they are etched due to their high nickel content. Ataxites are known as ungrouped irons as they do not match the chemistry of any of the other iron-nickel groups and most certainly come from a different planetary body than the other irons. Dronino is an ataxite that was found by a Russian mushroom hunter in July of 2002 near the Russian village of Dronino. Over 600 meteorites were found totally about 3000Kg with the largest meteorite being 250Kg. All of the meteorites were heavily weathered and rusted from being buried underground from 1-6 feet. It is not known when this meteorite fell to earth but it was certainly more than one thousand years ago since the area was inhabited then and no mention of such a spectacular cosmic event is recorded. All specimens of Dronino are rather flat possessing few if any regmaglypts. This extremely large 13 x 6 x 1.5 inch 18 pound meteorite is one of the largest to be auctioned and possesses a typical gun metal surface with some traces of weathering. This museum sized meteorite comes with a wooden stand and is a rare chance to purchase an ataxite that is missing from many meteorite collections.
Allow $30 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,250.
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| Realized $1,440 |
