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Zagami meteorite

Coordinates: 11°44′N 7°5′E / 11.733°N 7.083°E / 11.733; 7.083
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Zagami
TypeAchondrite
ClassMartian meteorite
GroupShergottite
Parent bodyMars
CompositionShergottite-basaltic
CountryNigeria
RegionKatsina State
Coordinates11°44′N 7°5′E / 11.733°N 7.083°E / 11.733; 7.083
Observed fallYes
Fall dateOctober 3, 1962
Found dateOctober 3, 1962
TKW18 kilograms (40 lb)
Strewn fieldno

Zagami is the largest single Martian meteorite ever found, weighing about 18 kilograms (40 lb).[1] It landed 10 feet (3.0 m) from a farmer near Zagami, Nigeria, and became buried in a hole about 2 feet (0.61 m) deep. According to Ron Baalke of NASA/JPL, "The Zagami meteorite is the most easily obtainable SNC meteorite available to collectors,"[2][3] referring to the SNC classification of meteorites (Shergottites, Nakhlites, Chassignites), of which Martian meteorites belong.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for Zagami". www.lpi.usra.edu. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  2. ^ "The Zagami Meteorite". www2.jpl.nasa.gov.
  3. ^ Meyer, C. "Zagami" (PDF). NASA Johnson Space Center.