[meteorite-list] NPA 04-22-1939 Cranbourne Meteorite, E. Henderson

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: Reno Evening Gazette
City: Reno, Nevada
Date: Saturday. April 22, 1939
Page: 8

METEORITE ADDED TO WASHINGTON COLLECTION

     WASHINGTON, D.C. - A 2000 pound meteorite, probably a fragment of one 
of the largest shooting stars which have struck the earth, has just been 
added to the meteorite collection of the Smithsonian Institution.  This 
specimen was found in 1903 near the town of Pearcedale not far from 
Melbourne, Australia - the general area of the Cranbourne meteorite which 
was discovered in 1854.
     The largest piece of the Cranbourne meteorite, weighing over three 
tons, is now in the British museum, the second largest piece, weighing about 
one and a half tons, is i the Melbourne museum.  Smaller fragments are 
displayed in museums all over the world.
     It is not definitely known yet whether this large mass just received at 
the U.S. National Museum is actually an individual of the Cranbourne fall, 
but it will probably prove to be so, says E. P. Henderson of the Smithsonian 
Institution.  That two separate meteoric falls of such huge size would occur 
within such a limited area is quite improbable, Mr. Henderson says that this 
meteorite probably exploded in midair and hence fragments may be found some 
distance apart.  This is the way meteorites frequently behave.
     This Australian meteorite will shortly be placed on exhibition at the 
U.S. National Museum.  A study will be made to determine its composition and 
relationships to the Cranbourne.  While the Cranbourne meteorite must be 
considered as one of the major collisions between the earth and a body from 
space, Mr. Henderson believes it is by no means the largest meteorite.
     Stony meteorites are more numerous than the iron variety, but it is 
interesting to note that all the largest falls, both as to size and weight, 
are iron meteorites.  There are many scars upon the surface of our earth 
where meteorites have struck, notable among which is the great meteor crater 
in Arizona. The celebrated fall of 1908 which struck northern Siberia 
produced a shock observed on seismographs far distant from the point of 
impact.
     The Smithsonian has added thirty different falls to its collection so 
far this year.  Most of these have been found in the United States.  The 
Australian iron is by far the largest received this year, but several 
good-sized ones have come in from Chile and Mexico.

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick