Lot 815
Rare Meteorite, Ataxite. Ataxites are a rare type of iron-nickel meteorite that do not exhibit a Widmanstatten pattern when they are etched due to their high nickel content. Ataxites are known as ungrouped irons as they do not match the chemistry of any of the other iron-nickel groups and most certainly come from a different planetary body than the other irons. Dronino is an ataxite that was found by a Russian mushroom hunter in July of 2002 near the Russian village of Dronino. Over 600 meteorites were found totally about 3000Kg with the largest meteorite being 250Kg. All of the meteorites were heavily weathered and rusted from being buried underground from 1-6 feet. The weathered and rusted crust has been removed from this specimen leaving a solid iron-nickel core. It is not known when this meteorite fell to earth but it was certainly more than one thousand years ago since the area was inhabited then and no mention of such a spectacular cosmic event is recorded. This end piece is 6¼ X 2¾ X 2 inchs and weighs 1383 grams (over three pounds). The cut side has been polished and etched exhibiting sulfide and chromite inclusions. The natural uncut end has a bright gun metal color with the usual ragged surface and some small regmaglpts that are typical of an esthetic Dronino ataxite meteorite. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000
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