Class: IV-A Coarse Octahedrite
Found: Namibia in 1836
Gibeon is a common meteorite for collectors. Three specimens are shown here - all from Gibeon. Gibeon is a fine octahedrite, composed of smaller 8-sided crystals.
The bottom sample is the largest, but the upper right is probably the most interesting.
Gibeon shows Widmenstatten patterns, the light streaks caused by the crystalline structure in the iron. They appear when the surface is polished and then lightly etched with acid.
These patterns give an effect similar to a hologram, since the patterns will appear and disappear depending upon which angle you view it from.
Class: Ataxite
Found: Russia in 2000
Ataxites are iron meteorites with very different crystalline structure. Because they have high (over 12%) nickel content, they do not have Widmenstatten patterns when etched.
Class: IV-A Fine Octahedrite
Found: Kitkiojoki, Sweden in 1963
This is a fine octahedrite (as opposed to a coarse octahedrite) because the higher nickel content has caused the Widmenstatten patterns to be smaller and closer together. This meteorite is exceptionally hard compared to others.
Note: All meteorite photographs include a 1 cm scaling cube for sizing reference. Click on the image to expand.
Class: Plessitic Octahedrite
Found: Taza, Morocco in 2001
Plessitic chondrites are ones that don't fall into other iron classifications. They contain from 9-18% nickel. Taza contains about 14% nickel. They have unusual crystal structures, different from Widmenstatten patterns or Neumann lines.
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