Allende meteorite
| Allende | |
|---|---|
Allende fragment | |
| Type | Chondrite |
| Class | Carbonaceous chondrite |
| Group | CV3 |
| Composition | 23.85% total iron |
| Shock stage | S1 |
| Country | Mexico |
| Region | Pueblito de Allende, Allende, Chihuahua |
| Coordinates | 26°58′N 105°19′W / 26.967°N 105.317°W |
| Observed fall | Yes |
| Fall date | 01:05 local time (07:05 GMT) on 1969 February 8 |
| TKW | 2 tonnes |
| Strewn field | Yes |
Chondrules of Allende | |
| Related media on Wikimedia Commons | |
The Allende meteorite is the largest carbonaceous chondrite ever found on Earth. The fireball was witnessed at 01:05 on February 8, 1969, falling over the Mexican state of Chihuahua. After it broke up in the atmosphere, an extensive search for pieces was conducted and over 2 tonnes (2.2 tons) were recovered. The availability of large quantities of samples of the scientifically important chondrite class has enabled numerous investigations by many scientists; it is often described as "the best-studied meteorite in history." The Allende meteorite has abundant, large calcium–aluminium-rich inclusions (CAI), which are among the oldest objects formed in the Solar System.
Carbonaceous chondrites compose about 4 percent of all meteorites observed to fall from space. Prior to 1969, the carbonaceous chondrite class was known from a small number of uncommon meteorites such as Orgueil, which fell in France in 1864. Meteorites similar to Allende were known, but many were small and poorly studied.