Gao-Guenie - 布基纳法索观测到的坠落 - 1960年3月5日 - 105 g

Gao-Guenie 是布基纳法索最重要的目击陨石坠落之一。1960年3月5日傍晚约当地时间17:00，一颗璀璨的火球掠过布基纳法索南部天空（当时为上沃尔特），随后传来数声强烈的爆炸声，震感距离超过100公里。随后在广阔的碎落区内散落了数千块陨石碎片，估计面积约70平方公里，介于Gao与Guenie两个村庄之间。

目击者描述听到的音爆强度足以损坏小型建筑并折断树枝。坠落后不久就发现了大量石块，数十年来在该区域仍源源不断地发现新的标本。总回收质量被认为超过一吨，令Gao-Guenie成为该地区文献记载中最大的普通条件隕石 showers 之一。

多年来，从该地区回收的陨石被分成两次被称为“Gao”和“Guenie”的独立坠落。随后更详细的矿物学和岩相研究表明两者其实来自同一陨石事件。1999年，陨石学会正式将两者配对并以“Gao-Guenie”的集合名命名。

classified as an H5 ordinary chondrite, Gao-Guenie is composed primarily of olivine and pyroxene, with abundant dispersed iron-nickel metal and troilite. The designation “H” refers to its relatively high metallic iron content, while petrologic type 5 indicates that the meteorite experienced substantial thermal metamorphism within its parent asteroid. Despite this metamorphism, remnant chondrules remain visible in many specimens.

Gao-Guenie is particularly appreciated among collectors for its characteristic dark fusion crust, attractive regmaglyptic surfaces, and the frequent presence of secondary fusion crust formed during atmospheric fragmentation. Many specimens also display shock-darkened zones and metal-rich interiors that provide valuable insight into impact processes affecting ordinary chondrite parent bodies.

As a witnessed fall with well-established provenance and extensive scientific documentation, Gao-Guenie occupies an important place in both meteoritics research and serious private collections. Specimens from this historic fall represent authentic material from the early Solar System, formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago.

I bought this beautiful specimen from Mike Jensen, and it comes with both my certificate of authenticity and his, documenting the ownership chain.

I am a member of the Meteoritical Society (#7743) and the Global Meteorite Association (GMA, #G0129), and I have been collecting meteorites for more than 16 years.