Morasko

A SUBSTANTIAL IRON METEORITE FROM A HISTORIC EUROPEAN LOCALE

Morasko struck a region 9 kilometers north of what is now Poznan, Poland about 4,500 to 5,000 years ago. The meteorite strike produced seven meteor craters, several of which have become small lakes, all now preserved in the Morasko Meteorite Nature Reserve.

As with all meteorites except for those that come from the Moon or Mars, the Morasko meteorite originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. An iron meteorite, Morasko would have been part of the molten, metal core of an asteroid that broke off following an intense, interstellar collision and found its way into an Earth-crossing orbit before slamming down on our planet.

This large and aesthetic meteorite is covered in regmaglypts, the result of frictional heating during its journey through Earth's atmosphere, as streaks of molten metal vaporized off the surface of the hurtling iron-nickel meteoroid. Originally discovered by soldiers digging rifle pits during World War I, this striking and historic meteorite would be a beguiling centerpiece to any natural history collection.

REFERENCES:

Meteoritical Bulletin Entry for Morasko