Name/Title
Gibeon Iron MeteoriteEntry/Object ID
2026.1.1Description
a 13lb meteorite from Namibia; Iron, fine octahedrite – IVA
Gibeon meteorites originated 4.5 billion years ago from the molten core of an asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter whose shattered remains are part of the asteroid belt. An impact event ejected what was to become the Gibeon mass into interplanetary space where it wandered for millions of years before achieving an Earth-crossing orbit and raining down at the edge of the Kalahari Desert in Namibia. The angular, arrow-like shape is the result of terrestrial forces; this meteorite naturally cleaved along its crystalline planes including the base which is completely flat — a natural delimitation of a metallic crystal. Such cleaving and the presence of the large scoop seen here are due to terrestrialization i.e., the result of a meteorite’s exposure to Earth’s climate from the time of its arrival to its recovery, a period in this instance of approximately 10,000 years.
In previous generations, indigenous tribesmen recovered the smallest meteorite shards and fashioned them into spear points and other tools.Collection
Museum Meteorite CollectionLocation
Location
Cabinet
FS-17Room
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
ExhibitMoved By
Ian C., Jillian Mather KettleyDate
January 20, 2026Notes
Installed directly upon purchase
