Hoba meteoriteOtjozondjupa, Namibia
Hoba Meteorite of Grootfontein, as seen at dusk 1
The largest meteorite and naturally occurring piece of iron on earth — named after the farm on which it was found on.
It has never been moved, though the land around it was excavated and a concrete enclosure built around it.
Weighs over 60 tonnes, with a height of 1.22 m, length 1.9 m and width 2.84 m and is said to have fallen on earth more than 80,000 years ago.
Composed mainly of iron, 8216.4% nickel and 0.76% cobalt. Other elements present in smaller amounts include sulfur, chromium, copper, zinc, gallium, germanium and iridium.
It has a square shape — considered unusual for meteorites but with the characteristic surface melting that is gained when entering the earth's atmosphere.
What to do there Sight seeing, picnics, braais or barbecues — learn about the meteorite and its history.
Location of Hoba meteoriteOn a farm, a few minutes west of Grootfontein — a small town in northeastern Namibia.
How to get thereBy road, as the nearest airport and train station is at Grootfontein.
Most of the drive there is on asphalt roads, with the exception of the last few kilometres.
References1. By Sergio Conti from Montevecchia (LC), Italia - P1000075, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37636357
It has never been moved, though the land around it was excavated and a concrete enclosure built around it.
Weighs over 60 tonnes, with a height of 1.22 m, length 1.9 m and width 2.84 m and is said to have fallen on earth more than 80,000 years ago.
Composed mainly of iron, 8216.4% nickel and 0.76% cobalt. Other elements present in smaller amounts include sulfur, chromium, copper, zinc, gallium, germanium and iridium.
It has a square shape — considered unusual for meteorites but with the characteristic surface melting that is gained when entering the earth's atmosphere.
What to do there Sight seeing, picnics, braais or barbecues — learn about the meteorite and its history.
Location of Hoba meteoriteOn a farm, a few minutes west of Grootfontein — a small town in northeastern Namibia.
How to get thereBy road, as the nearest airport and train station is at Grootfontein.
Most of the drive there is on asphalt roads, with the exception of the last few kilometres.
References1. By Sergio Conti from Montevecchia (LC), Italia - P1000075, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37636357
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