The Sikhote-Alin meteorite fall occurred on February 12, 1947, in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of eastern Russia, when a large iron asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded in a dramatic fireball witnessed by thousands. The meteor broke apart in the atmosphere, raining down tons of iron fragments over a wide strewn field and creating more than 100 impact craters. It remains one of the largest and best-documented meteorite falls in recorded history, providing scientists with valuable insight into how iron asteroids break apart and interact with Earth’s atmosphere. 

Unlike many meteorite falls that produce small stones, Sikhote-Alin is famous for its jagged, twisted shrapnel pieces formed by violent atmospheric fragmentation, as well as rarer individuals that display smoother, sculpted surfaces from partial melting during flight.

This 134.73 gram meteorite bears witness to the tremendous force of that explosion. The intense pressure and heat caused it to fragment violently and produce its unique shape before tumbling down to Earth. This individual fragment resembles the outline of Australia and features prominent shear lines. 

Official Meteoritical Bulletin Entry for Sikhote-Alin: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=23593.

This meteorite is not just a collectible; it’s an educational tool that brings the mystery and science of space directly into your hands.

Your purchase includes the exact stone pictured, a Certificate of Authenticity, a custom 3D printed display stand, and a lunar surprise 🌙

Unique Features of This Meteorite

Iron meteorites likely originate from the cores of differentiated planetesimals or protoplanets that formed early in the solar system’s history. These hefty space rocks are mostly made of iron and nickel. They're like cosmic cannonballs! When cut and polished, many show off a beautiful criss-cross pattern called the Widmanstätten pattern. Iron meteorites are prized by collectors for their striking appearance and durability.