Ras Tanura Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Ras Tanura
- Year Discovered: 1961
- Approximate Recovery Location: , , , Saudi Arabia
- Precise Recovery Location: (26.66667, 50.15)
- Mass: 6.1 grams
- Classification: H6
- Discovery Type: fall
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Ras Tanura Meteorite
The Ras Tanura meteorite was discovered in 1961. It was recovered in , , , Saudi Arabia (26.66667, 50.15). It has a mass of 6.1 grams.
Ras Tanura 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.
Ras Tanura’s official classification is H6. The “H6” classification refers to a high-iron, ordinary chondrite meteorite with distinct features like smaller chondrules and specific oxygen isotope ratios close to those found on Earth. This type 6 meteorite has undergone extensive metamorphism, leading to uniform mineral composition, larger secondary mineral sizes, and the fading of many chondrule outlines, yet without any melting.
The Ras Tanura 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