Hoba meteorite

The Hoba meteorite is thought to have impacted Earth less than 80,000 years ago. It is inferred that the Earth's atmosphere slowed the object in such a way that it impacted the surface at terminal velocity, thereby remaining intact and causing little excavation (expulsion of earth). Assuming a drag coefficient of about 1.3, the meteor appears to have slowed to about from an entry speed to the atmosphere typically in excess of . The meteorite is unusual in that it is flat on both major surfaces. ==Discovery==

The Hoba meteorite left no preserved crater and its discovery was a chance event. In 1920, ==Description and composition==

Hoba is a tabular body of metal, measuring . Erosion, scientific sampling and vandalism reduced its bulk over the years. The meteorite is composed of about 84% iron and 16% nickel, with traces of cobalt. It is classified as an ataxite iron meteorite belonging to the nickel-rich chemical class IVB. A crust of iron hydroxides is present on the surface due to weathering oxidation. ==Modern history==

In an effort to control relocation attempts, with permission from the farm's owner, Mrs O Scheel, on March 15, 1955, the government of South West Africa (now Namibia) declared the Hoba meteorite to be a national monument. Since 1979 the proclamation has been extended to an area of . . The war and liberation struggle ended with the 1988 Tripartite Accord. General elections under universal franchise in 1989 led to formation of the independent Republic of Namibia in 1990. In 1987, the farm owner donated the meteorite and the site where it lies to the state for educational purposes. Later that year, the government opened a tourist centre at the site. in Los Angeles by international auction house Bonhams. The Bonhams sale notice states: "The present specimen was obtained in 1968 by the father of the present owner when he visited the main mass of Hoba together with some friends. Using a hand saw, they cut a large block of the meteorite from the main mass 'as a souvenir', an activity which took them between three and four hours." ==See also==