IRON, COARSEST OCTAHEDRITE – IIAB MARITIME TERRITORY, SIBERIA, RUSSIA

A NATURALLY-FORMED HOLE IN METEORITE FROM THE SIKHOTE-ALIN EVENT, THE LARGEST METEORITE SHOWER SINCE THE DAWN OF CIVILIZATION

This meteorite originates from the famed Siberian Sikhote-Alin fireball of February 12, 1947, among the more frightening phenomena in modern times. Streaking over the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of Siberia, part of the mass violently exploded at an altitude of 5km, and tens of tons of material were hurled onto the snowy terrain. Another part of the mass split in the upper atmosphere, with innumerable specimens developing fusion crusts before raining on the ground. The specimen now offered is of the latter variety. It is dappled with scores of regmaglypts—the aerodynamic flight markings that characterize the surface of many meteorites. As evidenced by its largely straight left edge and reverse surface, this meteorite cleaved off another mass in the upper atmosphere along its crystalline planes, as only atmospheric frictional heating could smooth its surface in the manner observed. This is a superior example of an historic event, the largest meteorite shower of the modern era.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue note.