Approximately 49,000 years ago, this iron meteorite was part of a metallic asteroid that plowed into the Arizona desert with the force of more than 100 atomic bombs. The enormous burst of energy vaporized most of the asteroid and created a kilometer-size impact crater in what was, just moments before, flat-lying rock. This is the renowned “Meteor Crater” near Winslow, Arizona, the most famous and best-preserved meteorite crater in the world. The chunks of iron that survived the impact are known as Canyon Diablo (“Canyon of the Devil”), the quintessential American meteorites, prized by museums and private collectors everywhere.
The present Lot is cut and polished to reveal a window highlighting the interior matrix.