Gibeon Meteorite *Reserved for Dave*
Gibeon Meteorites are fine octahedrite iron meteorites, group IVA. Gibeon impacted Earth in prehistoric times in Great Namaqualand, Namibia, Africa. These iron meteorites originate from the core of an ancient asteroid, dated at 4.5 billion years old. Gibeon meteorites were discovered in 1836 and officially named after the nearest village town, Gibeon. The Gibeon strewn field is approximately 275km in length and 100km wide, centered on Brukkaros, south of Mariental.
- Specimen Name: Gibeon
- Classification: Iron, IVA
- Place of Fall/Find: Namaqualand, Namibia, Africa
- Year Found: 1836
- Weight in Grams: 12.8g
- Size: 49mm Length
- Includes 2x3" Cotton Gift Box and Specimen ID card
- Acrylic Display Optional
- Total Known Weight: 26,000kg
- You'll receive the Meteorite shown here in the photos.
About Gibeon Meteorites
Gibeon is a fine octahedrite iron meteorite, this means when cut or sliced and an acid treatment is applied, the meteorite reveals a striking crystalline structure, known as the Widmanstätten pattern. The crystals are iron-nickel alloys, Kamacite and Taenite. Widmanstätten patterns are created in space, when the molten iron and nickel of planetary bodies begin the cooling process. As Taenite cools, plates of crystalized Kamacite grow through it, once the metal cools and hardens, the crystals stop growing and the pattern freezes. This cooling process occurs very slowly, over millions of years. Widmanstätten patterns are only found in celestial bodies from space, the pattern has never been replicated here on Earth.
Octahedrites are classified according to the thickness of the Kamacite plates. Coarse octahedrites have a band width of 1.5-3mm. Medium octahedrites have a band width of 0.5-1.5mm. Fine octahedites have a band width of 0.2-0.5mm. Below 0.2mm, three other types of octahedrites are apparent.
Notes of interest: In 2004, Namibia a new National Heritage act, this placed an export ban on meteorites. Under this law, it's considered an offense to uncover or move a Gibeon meteorite from it's find location. Gibeon specimens traded among collectors and museums today, were obtained and exported before 2004. This is why uncut, whole individual Gibeon meteorite specimens have risen in price and are more valuable.
