The Bellsbank meteorite is a
hexahedrite
Hexahedrites are a structural class of iron meteorite. They are composed almost exclusively of the nickel–iron alloy kamacite and are lower in nickel content than the octahedrites. The nickel concentration in hexahedrites is always below 5.8% and ...
iron meteorite with abundant
schreibersite
Schreibersite is generally a rare iron nickel phosphide mineral, , though common in iron-nickel meteorites. It has been found on Disko Island in Greenland and Illinois.
Another name used for the mineral is rhabdite. It forms tetragonal crystals w ...
. It is classified as a member of the
IIG group. It was found in Bellsbank, South Africa in 1955.
Discovery and naming
The meteorite was found in 1955 near Bellsbank (), northwest of
Kimberley
Kimberly or Kimberley may refer to:
Places and historical events
Australia
* Kimberley (Western Australia)
** Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley
* Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania
* Kimberley, Tasmania a small town
* County of Kimberley, a ...
(
South Africa). Only one specimen with a mass of was dug out from a field.
The meteorite was first described in 1959.
Description
The meteorite is
hexahedrite
Hexahedrites are a structural class of iron meteorite. They are composed almost exclusively of the nickel–iron alloy kamacite and are lower in nickel content than the octahedrites. The nickel concentration in hexahedrites is always below 5.8% and ...
iron meteorite. It consists of
meteoric iron (exclusively
kamacite) and
schreibersite
Schreibersite is generally a rare iron nickel phosphide mineral, , though common in iron-nickel meteorites. It has been found on Disko Island in Greenland and Illinois.
Another name used for the mineral is rhabdite. It forms tetragonal crystals w ...
. The surface of the meteorite is pitted and weathered. Upon etching the meteorite shows
Neumann lines.
The
meteoric iron has Nickel concentrations as low as 1.6%.
Classification
The Bellsbank meteorite was the type specimen of the
grouplet
In meteoritics, a meteorite classification system attempts to group similar meteorites and allows scientists to communicate with a standardized terminology when discussing them. Meteorites are classified according to a variety of characteristics, ...
called "Bellsbank Trio". After 5 meteorites were found the grouplet was renamed
IIG group.
References
See also
*
Glossary of meteoritics
{{Meteorites by name
Meteorites found in South Africa