Description
Nantan Iron Meteorite Fragment from China
- Nantan Meteorite
- Fell in 1516 and Discovered in 1958
- Guangxi, China
- This specimen will come in the 4.25″ x 5.25″ Riker Mount with Labels as Shown
- The piece of Meteorite weighs 108.7 grams. In addition, it measures 2.33″ wide
- Buy Meteorites – MORE Meteorites for Sale
The Nantan Meteorite: An Ancient Visitor from Space
The Nantan meteorite is an iron meteorite that fell in Guangxi, China. Historical records report a fall in 1516, during the Ming dynasty. However, scientists identified the recovered iron masses as meteorites centuries later. Today, Nantan specimens are found across a large strewn field and are studied by scientists and collected around the world.
Nantan is classified as an IIICD iron meteorite. It consists mainly of iron and nickel, while smaller amounts of other elements are also present. Because it contains so much metal, a Nantan specimen can feel surprisingly heavy for its size. Moreover, many pieces develop a brown, rusty surface after long exposure to Earth’s moist environment.
Like other iron meteorites, Nantan came from material formed during the early history of our solar system. Therefore, its metal provides scientists with clues about processes that occurred billions of years ago. Iron meteorites are generally linked to metal-rich material that separated inside early planetary bodies.
Nantan Iron Meteorite Fragment from China for Sale
Although the Nantan fall occurred about five centuries ago, its story reaches much farther into the past. Consequently, each genuine specimen offers a direct connection to ancient material from space and helps researchers better understand the formation and evolution of our solar system.
