The Earth's largest intact meteorite is named HOBA, weighing approximately 66 tons, nearly double the weight of the world's third-largest meteorite, Ahnighito.
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| HOVA |
This extraordinary meteorite was discovered in 1920 on a farm named Hoba West, located 19 km (12 mi) west of Grootfontein in northern Namibia. Its name "Hoba" is derived from the farm's name. Farmer Jacobus Hermanus Brits made the discovery.
In 1929, Dutch-American astronomer Willem Luetten brought attention to Hoba by writing an article about it for a South African newspaper. The British, upon testing a piece of it, confirmed its identity as a meteorite.
Excavation around the rock revealed a small portion above ground, and as more soil was removed, large boulders emerged. The Hoba meteorite is roughly oblong with a flat top, measuring about nine feet (2.7 m) in length, nine feet in width, and approximately three feet thick. It is believed to have entered Earth's atmosphere at a shallow angle, hitting the ground at a speed of less than a few hundred meters per second.
The impact likely resulted in a small crater, approximately 20 meters (66 ft) in diameter and 5 meters (16 ft) deep. Comprising 82.3 percent iron, 16.4 percent nickel, and 0.8 percent cobalt, the Hoba meteorite also contains carbon, silver, zinc, and copper.
Originally weighing 66 tons, the meteorite likely suffered damage from the oxidation process, indicated by a significant amount of iron oxide in the surrounding soil. Over the years, scientists and souvenir hunters have chipped away at parts of it.
Having fallen from the sky 80,000 years ago, Hoba remains in its original location. Designated a National Monument in 1955 when Namibia was known as South West Africa under South African rule, the meteorite site was donated to the government by the farm's owner in 1987. A stone amphitheater has been constructed around the meteorite, accompanied by a nearby visitor center, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
Summery of this article: The article discusses the discovery and significance of HOBA, the largest intact meteorite on Earth, found in Namibia in 1920. Weighing 66 tons, double that of the third-largest meteorite, Ahnighito, HOBA's unique history began with farmer Jacobus Hermanus Brits. Its oblong shape and composition of iron, nickel, and cobalt, along with elements like carbon and silver, make it a rare celestial specimen. Despite its massive weight, signs of oxidation suggest a larger impact mass. Designated a National Monument in 1955, HOBA attracts visitors with a stone amphitheater and a nearby visitor center, offering a captivating glimpse into the cosmic journey of this extraordinary meteorite.
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