Norton County meteorite, Meteorite site in Norton County, Kansas, US.
The Norton County meteorite is a rock from space that broke into thousands of pieces when it fell to Earth in 1948, scattering across the Kansas and Nebraska border. The total mass of recovered fragments exceeds 1,100 kilograms, with the largest piece now kept at the University of New Mexico.
The meteorite fell to Earth in 1948 after traveling through space, announced by a bright fireball seen by people in the region. Soon after, researchers organized expeditions to collect the scattered fragments for scientific study.
The meteorite is displayed today at the University of New Mexico as a center for teaching and research, contributing significantly to conveying knowledge about space. It symbolizes for students and visitors the connection between the cosmos and Earth.
The largest piece is housed at the University of New Mexico Museum in Albuquerque, where smaller fragments are also displayed together. Visitors can view the collection during regular hours and learn more about its origin.
This rare aubrite-type meteorite differs from typical meteorites in its composition and glows visibly under ultraviolet light. This property occurs because it contains very little iron, making it particularly interesting for scientists.
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