Old Woman Meteorite
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The Old Woman Meteorite is the largest meteorite found in California and the second largest in the United States. It was discovered in the Old Woman Mountains in southern California in late 1975. It is 38 inches (97 cm) long, 34 inches (86 cm) high, and 30 inches (76 cm) wide. The meteorite is mostly composed of iron, but also contains nickel (about 6%), as well as small amounts of chromium, cobalt, phosphorus, and sulphur.
It was put on display in the Smithsonian Institution from 1978 to 1980, and now resides in the Desert Discovery Center in Barstow, California. It originally weighed 6,070 pounds (2,753 kg), but has since had a 942 pound (427 kg) slice removed for scientific study. A U.S. Marine Corps team helped removed the meteorite from the mountains using a helicopter and cargo net.
[edit] References
- Bureau of Land Management - Old Woman Meteorite pamphlet.
- Wilderness.net - [1]
[edit] External links
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