Little Piney Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Little Piney
- Year Discovered: 1839
- Approximate Recovery Location: Union, Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
- Precise Recovery Location: (37.91667, -92.08333)
- Mass: 491 grams
- Classification: L5
- Discovery Type: fall
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Little Piney Meteorite
The Little Piney meteorite was discovered in 1839. It was recovered in Union, Pulaski County, Missouri, United States (37.91667, -92.08333). It has a mass of 491 grams.
Little Piney is considered a “Valid” meteorite. “Valid” meteorites are typical meteorites with average weathering, while “relict” meteorites are those that have been extremely altered, either due to weathering over time or human intervention.
Little Piney’s official classification is L5. The “L5” classification identifies a meteorite as part of the low-iron L group of ordinary chondrites, characterized by moderate-sized chondrules and distinct oxygen isotope ratios. This type 5 meteorite has undergone significant heat metamorphism, resulting in homogenized minerals and less distinct chondrule outlines.
The Little Piney meteorite is a “fall” meteorite. Meteorites are classified as “falls” if they were observed falling and recovered, while “finds” are those discovered later, often weathered by longer exposure to Earth’s environment and without a record of being seen as they fell.
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Last Updated: 12/29/23