Lowicz

MesosideriteOne of two main types of stony-iron meteorite, the other being pallasites. Mesosiderites are a mixture of approximately 50% basaltic, gabbroic and orthopyroxenitic silicates and 50% Ni-Fe metal and sulfides. The name derives from the Greek "mesos" meaning "middle" or "half" and "sideros" for "iron;" hence "half-iron". The silicates are Click on Term to Read More, group 3A

Fell March 12, 1935
52° 0′ N., 19° 55′ E. At 12:52 A.M. near Lowicz, Poland, a shower of stones was seen and heard to fallMeteorite seen to fall. Such meteorites are usually collected soon after falling and are not affected by terrestrial weathering (Weathering = 0). Beginning in 2014 (date needs confirmation), the NomComm adopted the use of the terms "probable fall" and "confirmed fall" to provide better insight into the meteorite's history. If Click on Term to Read More over an area of 9.2 km² along a trajectory from west to east. However, in contrast to most other fall distributions, the smallest fragments were recovered in the farthest part of the strewnfield near Seligow, while the larger pieces were found in the closest part in Krepa. This reversed distribution could be the result of fragmentation low in the atmosphere. At least 83 and perhaps over 100 stones with a total weight of over 60 kg were eventually recovered, but many were subsequently lost during World War II.

Mesosiderites have been divided into different groups (Floran, 1978 and Hewins, 1984) based on their composition and degree of thermal metamorphism, with Lowicz falling into group 3A (see the Bondoc page for further information about the grouping scheme). The formation of mesosiderites has been examined in the context of several different models. See the Estherville page for details concerning the most current models. Lowicz has a CRE age of ~53 m.y. The above specimen is a very thin partial slice approximately 19 mm × 11 mm × 1 mm. It weighs 0.9 g and shows abundant metalElement that readily forms cations and has metallic bonds; sometimes said to be similar to a cation in a cloud of electrons. The metals are one of the three groups of elements as distinguished by their ionization and bonding properties, along with the metalloids and nonmetals. A diagonal line drawn Click on Term to Read More mixed with the silicates.