* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: New Orleans meteorite

Blobrana · L

The New Orleans (H5) meteorite fell in Louisiana, USA, on the 23rd September, 2003.
A total mass of 19.26 kg was recovered.

29° 56' 50"N, 90° 6' 35"W

Blobrana · L

Remembering the meteorite that ripped through Uptown home

"Some strange thing fell through my house, can I bring it over to you and show you?"
Its a question Tulane Earth Sciences Professor Steve Nelson will never forget.
The inquiry came in September 2003, during a phone call from Uptown New Orleans resident Roy Fausset.
Fausset arrived at his home on Joseph Street one day, and stumbled across extensive, baffling damage inside.
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Blobrana · L

New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Fell 2003 September 23. approx. 16:05 hrs (CST)
Ordinary chondrite (H5)

On the afternoon of September 23rd 2003, a meteorite crashed through the two-story home of Ray and Judy Fausset, who were not at home at the time. Neighbours said that they heard a "terrific noise." Two observations of a fireball were recorded. The main mass of the meteorite was found in the crawl space under the house. Powdery meteorite debris and fragments were found along the penetration path throughout the house. A total mass of 19.256 kg was recovered from the Fausset house, the three largest fragments weighing 2966 g, 1292 g and 1001 g. Some additional material (~100 g) was also recovered in the surrounding neighbourhood. Description and classification (S. Nelson, Tulane University; R. Jones and A. Brearley, UNM; T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU): The meteorite is light grey with a black fusion crust, and very friable. Abundant metal and troilite are visible on broken surfaces, as well as some thin (mm-thick) impact melt veins. Classification and mineralogy: The meteorite is very fragmented on a sub-mm scale. Mean compositions of olivine, Fa17.6; orthopyroxene, Fs15.4Wo1.4; clinopyroxene, Fs10.4Wo24.8; plagioclase, An12.8Or5.6; metal, Ni = 6.7 wt %, Co = 0.38 %. Minor chromite and phosphate are present. The meteorite broke a pipe and many fragments sat in water for several days. Because of this and the humid climate in New Orleans, light oxidation of interior metal within small fragments (<100 g) was evident within a week of the fall. Shock level, S1. Specimens: type specimens 82 g UNM and 63 g NAU; main mass with owner.
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