SIKHOTE-ALIN  - 9.4kg oriented individual
 
The Sikhote-Alin iron meteorite is the largest observed meteorite fall.  It rained a shower of fireballs into the the thick forest of the Sikhote-alin Mountains of the USSR on February 12, 1947.  It is estimated that over 23000kg fell that morning leaving a smoke trail which could be seen in the sky for hours.  This event was recorded by artist P.I. Medvedev who was sitting at his window in the town of Iman and witnessed the fall.  This painting was reproduced as a postage stamp to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the event in 1957.  There are two types of Sikhote-Alin meteorites --- sharp, jagged shrapnel type specimens and the more beautiful individuals covered in regmaglypts(pictured here).  The appearance of Sikhote-Alin individuals is typical of what the general public believes a meteorite should look like.
 
 

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE:

 

This is the leading edge of this 9.4KG Sikhote-alin.  Note the flowing of the metal out to the top edge.  There is a distinctive roll-over lip made of iron just as there is a fusion crust roll-over on the oriented 146 gram Murchison meteorite pictured elsewhere in this collection  Upon closer inspection, there are many other flight marks on this specimen.

 

This is the back of the meteorite showing extensive regmaglypts.

 

     

These are side views of the meteorite.
 
 

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