Nantan (meteorite)
The fall of the Nantan meteorite was observed in 1516 by the population of Guangxi Province ( Empire of China ).
The iron meteorite burst upon entering the atmosphere and the fragments fell over an area of 28 × 8 km near the city of Nantan .
The meteorite fragments remained there for over 400 years until they were remembered again in 1958. Under the slogan of the “ big leap forward ”, the agricultural state of China was to be transformed into a modern industrial state. Great importance was attached to heavy industry. Primitive blast furnaces were built across the country to make iron and steel . Fragments of the Nantan meteorite were melted down on a trial basis, but were not suitable for smelting due to the high nickel content .
The Nantan meteorite comes from the asteroid belt and has been classified as a coarse octahedrite of the IAB-MG group since 2006 . So far 9.5 tons have been found, the heaviest fragment weighs 2 tons. Due to the long stay in a damp environment, the finds are badly weathered and brittle.
Chemical composition: 92.35% iron ; 6.96% nickel ; Traces of carbon , copper , cobalt , sulfur , phosphorus , chromium , gallium , germanium , arsenic , antimony , tungsten , rhenium , iridium , gold , rubidium , palladium , osmium , praseodymium , manganese , silver , cadmium
See also: List of meteorites
Individual evidence
- ^ Nantan (China). Retrieved July 24, 2019 .
- ↑ Nandan meteorite (Nantan meteorite). Retrieved July 24, 2019 .
- ^ Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for Nantan. Retrieved July 24, 2019 .