Khatyrka meteorite, Stone meteorite in Koryak Okrug, Russia.
The Khatyrka meteorite consists of nine fragments smaller than one millimeter, discovered in a soil layer dating back about seven thousand years near the Iomrautvaam river. The primary pieces are now stored at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
Scientists found the meteorite during an expedition to the Russian Far East in 2011. This discovery became important for research on extraterrestrial material and understanding meteorite deposits in remote areas.
The name comes from the nearby Khatyrka river, reflecting local geography in the Chukotka region.
Access to the fragments is available through museum collections in the United States. Those interested in meteorites and minerals should contact museum locations to clarify availability and visiting conditions.
The rock contains naturally occurring quasicrystals with an unusual atomic structure rarely found in nature. This uncommon composition made the find valuable for understanding how such rare mineral formations develop.
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