Minamino Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Minamino
- Year Discovered: 1632
- Approximate Recovery Location: Nagoya-shi, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Precise Recovery Location: (35.07833, 136.93333)
- Mass: 1040 grams
- Classification: L
- Discovery Type: fall
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Minamino Meteorite
The Minamino meteorite was discovered in 1632. It was recovered in Nagoya-shi, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan (35.07833, 136.93333). It has a mass of 1040 grams.
Minamino 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.
Minamino’s official classification is L. The classification “L” refers to an ordinary chondrite from the L group, but the specific petrologic type has not been determined. Ordinary chondrites are a major type of meteorite known for their sub-solar Mg/Si and refractory/Si ratios, oxygen isotope compositions distinct from Earth, and a composition mostly consisting of chondrules with a smaller amount of fine-grained matrix. The L group, in particular, is characterized by relatively lower siderophile element content, moderate-sized chondrules (around 0.7 mm), and oxygen isotope compositions intermediate between the H and LL groups of ordinary chondrites.
The Minamino 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