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Nantan

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The Nantan meteorite is an iron meteorite associated with a witnessed fall in Nantan County, Guangxi, China, in 1516, during the Ming dynasty. More than nine tonnes of material have reportedly been recovered from its strewn field, although many pieces were collected centuries after the event. It is classified within the IAB complex and is studied by meteoriticists, collectors, and museums as a substantial historical meteorite fall.

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When did the Nantan meteorite fall to Earth?

The Nantan meteorite is associated with a witnessed fall in 1516 in Nantan County, Guangxi, China, during the Ming dynasty. Local records from the time noted the falling stars, though the material was not identified as meteorites until much later.

How much of the Nantan meteorite has been found?

More than nine tonnes of material have reportedly been recovered from the strewn field. Many pieces were collected centuries after the actual fall, particularly during the 1950s when China needed iron ore for production.

What type of meteorite is the Nantan?

The Nantan meteorite is classified as a coarse octahedrite iron meteorite. It is composed primarily of iron and nickel, which allowed its large masses to survive weathering on the Earth's surface for centuries.

Where is the Nantan meteorite strewn field located?

The meteorite fragments are scattered across Nantan County in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China. The strewn field reportedly extends across an area roughly 28 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide.

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