Rare Meteorite Discovered: 17kg Stone Was Mistaken for Gold
Man Mistook 17kg Meteorite for Gold: What We Know & What’s Next
This week, a story captivated the internet: a man in indonesia kept a 17kg (approximately 37.5 lbs) rock for years believing it to be gold. It turned out to be a significantly more valuable space rock – a meteorite! Here’s a breakdown of the situation, its implications, and what happens next.
What Happened?
* The Discovery: A man (name not widely publicized) in Sukabumi,West Java,Indonesia,found a heavy,reddish rock. He initially believed it to be gold and kept it in his posession for an extended period.
* Identification: The rock was eventually identified by experts at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) as a meteorite. Specifically, it’s classified as a chondrite meteorite, a stony meteorite containing chondrules - ancient dust grains formed in the early solar system.
* Value: While the man initially thought the rock’s value lay in its potential gold content, meteorites, especially rare chondrites, can be far more valuable to scientists and collectors. Estimates vary, but the meteorite is reportedly worth significantly more than its weight in gold. Some reports suggest a potential value of around $1.85 million USD.
* The Seller: The man sold the meteorite to a collector, Jared Collins, for an undisclosed sum. Collins intends to donate a portion of the meteorite to the ITB for research.
what Kind of Meteorite Is It?
Chondrite meteorites are among the most common types of meteorites found on Earth. They provide valuable insights into the early solar system. here’s a swift overview:
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