The Top 5 Most Interesting Meteorites in the World

There are more than 38,000 known meteorites, and each one has its own unique story. Here are five of the most interesting meteorites in the world:

1. The Hoba Meteorite

The Hoba meteorite is the largest known meteorite, weighing in at an estimated 66 tons. It was discovered in 1920 in Namibia, and is thought to be around 80,000 years old. The meteorite is mostly made up of iron, and is so massive that it has barely moved since it fell to Earth.

2. The Sikhote-Alin Meteorite

The Sikhote-Alin meteorite is the largest meteorite to have ever hit Earth. It fell in 1947 in Russia, and weighed an estimated 23 tons. The meteorite caused a massive explosion when it hit the ground, and created a crater that was nearly 60 meters wide.

3. The Allende Meteorite

The Allende meteorite is the oldest known meteorite, and is thought to be around 4.5 billion years old. It fell in Mexico in 1969, and is made up of a type of rock called carbonaceous chondrite. The Allende meteorite is particularly interesting because it contains the oldest known minerals in the solar system.

4. The Murchison Meteorite

The Murchison meteorite fell in Australia in 1969, and is one of the most studied meteorites in the world. It is thought to be around 4.6 billion years old, and is made up of a type of rock called carbonaceous chondrite. The Murchison meteorite is particularly interesting because it contains a large amount of organic compounds, including some that are essential for life.

5. The Nantan Meteorite

The Nantan meteorite fell in China in 1516, and is the only meteorite to have been officially recognized by the Chinese government. It is made up of a type of rock called iron oxide, and is thought to be around 4.5 billion years old. The Nantan meteorite is particularly interesting because it is one of the few meteorites that have been found in Asia.