Space Rock Mystery

Where Did the Fukang Meteorite Come From?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 [Open in app]( or [online]() [Space Rock Mystery]( Where Did the Fukang Meteorite Come From? Mar 5   [Save]( [▷  Listen](   [Pallasite - Fukang Meteorite]( The Fukang Meteorite is the name given to a meteorite that was discovered in China. The Fukang Meteorite belongs to a class of stony-iron meteorite known as Pallasite, which may be recognized by the fragments of olivine crystals embedded in an iron-nickel matrix. According to one source, the [stunning slices of such a meteorite,]( illuminated from the back, are “reminiscent of stained glass windows crafted in the ancient solar system.” [Pledge your support]( Was the Fukang Meteorite Up For Sale? Part of the Fukang Meteorite was recently sold at auction. In February 2021 Christie’s [reports]( that it sold an “end wedge of the most beautiful extraterrestrial substance known.” Just that portion of the meteorite alone fetched a whopping 30,000 USD for the seller – well over the 3,500-4,500 USD estimate. So what makes the Fukang Meteorite so special? For one thing, it’s not a “common meteorite.” Pallasites are an extremely rare type of [meteorite.]( This is due to the fact that most Pallasites do not survive their descent through the Earth’s atmosphere. It has been estimated that less than 1 % of all meteorites are Pallasites. Therefore, the Fukang Meteorite has often been hailed as one of the greatest meteorite discoveries of the 21st century. Out of this world, quite literally: The beautiful and mysterious Fukang meteorite. (Katexic Clippings Newsletter/ [CC BY 2.0]( Discovering the Meteorite The Fukang Meteorite was discovered near the town of Fukang in [Xinjiang,]( an autonomous region in the northwestern part of China. The meteorite was discovered in 2000 by an anonymous hiker. This hiker is said to have often stopped on a giant rock to have his lunch. He became curious about the type of rock, which seemed metallic and had crystals in it, that he had been resting on. The man decided to break some pieces of the rock off, and had them send to the United States, where [it was confirmed]( the sample he had sent was from a meteorite. [Continue reading...]( Ancient Origins UNLEASHED is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Ancient Origins UNLEASHED that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments. [Pledge your support](   [Like]( [Comment]( [Share](   Read Ancient Origins UNLEASHED in the app Listen to posts, join subscriber chats, and never miss an update from Ancient Origins UNLEASHED. [Get the iOS app]( the Android app]( © 2023 Ancient Origins 6 Abbey Business Park, Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, D13N738, Ireland [Unsubscribe]() [Start writing]()