Found in Belarus in 1810, this is a rare stony-iron meteorite. It contains beautiful olivine crystals embedded in a metallic nickel-iron matrix, resembling a cosmic mosaic. Dating back over 4.5 billion years, it offers insights into early solar system formation.
2. Hoba meteorite
The Hoba meteorite is the largest intact meteorite ever found, weighing about 60 tons. This iron-rich space rock landed in Namibia roughly 80,000 years ago and was discovered in 1920. Unlike most meteorites, it never formed a crater, likely due to its flat shape slowing its descent.
3. Willamette meteorite
This massive iron-nickel meteorite was found in Oregon, USA. Weighing 15.5 tons, it's the largest ever discovered in North America. Formed from a molten asteroid core, its distinctive pitted surface comes from weathering. Currently displayed at NYC's American Museum of Natural History.
4. Bacubirito meteorite
The Bacubirito meteorite is one of the largest known iron meteorites, weighing approximately 20 tons. Discovered in 1863 in Sinaloa, Mexico, this massive space rock measures about 4 meters long. Classified as an iron-nickel meteorite, it remains on display at Mexico's Centro de Ciencias de Sinaloa.
5. Henbury meteorites
The Henbury meteorites are a group of iron meteorites found in Australia's Northern Territory. They formed from a meteor that broke apart before impact around 4,700 years ago, creating 12 craters. The fragments contain iron, nickel, and rare minerals, offering insights into early solar system formation.
6. Canyon Diablo meteorite
This massive iron meteorite is said to have created Arizona's Meteor Crater 50,000 years ago. Weighing over 30 tons originally, its fragments contain rare diamonds formed by cosmic impacts. This famous meteorite gives scientists insights into our solar system's early formation.
7. Esquel meteorite
The Esquel meteorite is a rare pallasite discovered in Argentina in 1951. Known for its striking olivine crystals suspended in an iron-nickel matrix, it resembles a natural stained-glass window. Pallasites like Esquel originate from the boundary of an asteroid's core and mantle, offering insights into early solar system formation.
8. Muonionalusta meteorite
The Muonionalusta meteorite is a rare iron meteorite that fell in Scandinavia about 1 million years ago. Discovered in 1906, it's known for its striking Widmanstätten patterns—natural crystalline formations visible when cut and etched. Containing nickel-iron alloys, it's one of Earth's oldest known meteorites, studied for insights into our solar system's formation.
9. Gibeon meteorite
This is a type of iron meteorite known as a fine octahedrite. It fell in prehistoric times in Namibia and is famous for its stunning Widmanstätten pattern, which becomes visible when polished and etched. Considered one of the most impressive iron meteorites, it originates from the core of a shattered asteroid.
10. Sikhote-alin meteorite
This was a massive iron meteorite that exploded over Russia's Sikhote-Alin Mountains in 1947. Weighing around 23 tons, it fragmented mid-air, scattering thousands of metallic shards across the taiga. Its dramatic fireball and impact craters make it one of the most visually documented meteorite events in history.
11. Imilac meteorite
The Imilac meteorite is a rare pallasite found in Chile's Atacama Desert in 1822. Known for its striking olivine crystals suspended in an iron-nickel matrix, it's one of the most beautiful meteorites. Pallasites originate from the core-mantle boundary of ancient asteroids.
12. Campo del Cielo iron
These were a group of iron meteorites found in Argentina, dating back 4,000-5,000 years. These space rocks, composed of 92% iron and 6% nickel, formed from a massive asteroid impact. The largest fragment, "El Chaco," weighs 37 tonnes.
13. Fukang meteorite
This stunning pallasite was discovered in China's Gobi Desert in 2000. Known for its striking olivine crystals suspended in an iron-nickel matrix, it resembles a cosmic stained-glass window. Weighing over 1,000 kg, this 4.5-billion-year-old space rock offers rare insights into our solar system's formation.
14. EC 002
The EC 002 meteorite is a rare lunar rock discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2020. Weighing 1.5 kg, it's composed of volcanic basalt dating back 3 billion years, making it one of the oldest known lunar meteorites. Its composition suggests it originated from the Moon's far side.
15. Aguas zarcas
The Aguas zarcas meteorite fell in Costa Rica in 2019. This rare carbonaceous chondrite contains organic compounds and amino acids—building blocks of life. Scientists study its pristine composition to understand early solar system chemistry. The fragments, found near Alajuela, show minimal Earth contamination, making them exceptionally valuable for research.
