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TOPIC: Dresden meteorite


L

Posts: 131433
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Dresden (Ontario) meteorite
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Title: The Dresden (Ontario) H6 Chondrite, Part I: Fireball Observations, Recovery and Sale, Field Searches, and Tribute
Authors: Plotkin, H.

A spectacular fireball roared across the sky in southwestern Ontario as dusk fell on the night of July 11, 1939 and was seen by thousands of persons there and in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and even as far away as Pennsylvania. The fireball underwent three explosions, and ended up dropping a 40-kg (88.25 lbs.) meteorite in the sugar-beet field of Dan Solomon, about 10 km southwest of Dresden, as well as several small fragments in nearby fields.
The meteorite, known officially as the Dresden (ON) Meteorite was high in nickel and iron content with many other properties and classified as H6 Chondite. It remains the second largest individual meteorite to ever fall in Ontario and the fourth largest from all of Canada. Through an interesting route, it ended up at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and was put on display in the Biology and Geology Building.

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L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Dresden meteorite
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The Dresden (Ontario) (H6) meteorite fell in Ontario, Canada, on the 11th July, 1939.
A total mass of 47.7 kg was recovered.

42° 31' 12"N, 82° 15' 36"W



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L

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The date was July 12, 1939 and this 88 pound chunk of space jetsam left a blazing trail across Ohio, Michigan and southwestern Ontario which attracted scores of scientists and astrologers when its landing spot became known.
The meteorite hit with an impact that drove it five feet into the ground and its accompanying swoosh of air and subsequent crash was described by Mr. Solomon as being comparable to what he envisioned as the explosion of half a ton of dynamite.
When the initial excitement had lessened, Dan Solomon took shovel in hand to dig out this intruder which has so frightened him and his family.
Two entrepreneurs, one of them an oil geologist, made a deal with Solomon to buy the rock for $4 and proceeded to turn a $996 profit next day when they sold it to London Life Insurance Co. which in turn donated it to the University of Western Ontario.

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