Claxton meteorite

Claxton
Type Chondrite
Class Ordinary chondrite
Group L6
Country United States of America
Region Georgia
Coordinates 32°09′N 81°54′W / 32.150°N 81.900°W / 32.150; -81.900Coordinates: 32°09′N 81°54′W / 32.150°N 81.900°W / 32.150; -81.900[1]
Observed fall Yes
Fall date December 10, 1984
Found date December 10, 1984
TKW 1.46 kg

Claxton[1] is an L6 chondrite meteorite that fell to earth on December 10, 1984 in Georgia, United States. It is the only known meteorite to directly strike a mailbox.[2]

Mailbox strike

According to the eyewitness account of Claxton, Georgia resident Don Richardson, the meteorite struck his neighbor's mailbox about 36 metres (118 ft) from his position.[3] The rear of the mailbox was crushed and the mailbox was knocked to the ground. A collector bought the mailbox from the homeowner and sold it to the Macovich Collection where it is valued at $60,000–$80,000.[4]

Classification

It is an ordinary chondrite type L6 with a light grey interior containing chondrules and free iron.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Meteoritical Bulletin Database: Claxton
  2. ↑ "Claxton Meteorite". New England Meteoritical Services. October 2000. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  3. ↑ Meteoritics, Vol. 20, 1985
  4. 1 2 http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=USA&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3703657&iSaleNo=15648

See also

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