Researchers have discovered a meteorite weighing up to 7.6 kg protruding from the pristine white snow while searching for meteorites in Antarctica.
The 7.6 kg meteorite discovered in Antarctica last December. (Photo: Maria Valdes).
The meteorite, weighing over 7 kg, is one of five stones collected by researchers during their Antarctic expedition in December 2022. “When it comes to meteorites, size isn’t necessarily important. Even tiny micrometeorites can be extremely valuable scientifically. But of course, finding a large meteorite like this one is quite rare and truly exciting,” shared Maria Valdes, a research scientist at the Field Museum.
Valdes estimates that approximately 45,000 meteorites have been found in Antarctica over the past century, but only about 100 stones weigh 7.6 kg or more. This unusual discovery has greatly excited the researchers.
Valdes and her colleagues tested a new technique using satellite imagery to locate areas where meteorites have fallen. According to Vinciane Debaille, a student at the Free University of Brussels, the reality on the ground is much more challenging than the beauty depicted in satellite images. Although February is summer in Antarctica, expedition members still had to contend with freezing temperatures and long treks or snowmobile rides.
The meteorites will be transported to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences for study. “The larger the meteorite sample, the better our chances of understanding the Solar System,” Valdes stated.
Many scientists from around the world travel to Antarctica each year to search for meteorites. Due to their black color, meteorites stand out against the bright white ice of Antarctica. The organic compounds within the meteorites are well-preserved thanks to the cold, dry climate here.
