description Norton County Overview
Norton County is an aubrite meteorite that fell in 1948 near the Kansas and Nebraska border in the United States. Its recovered material totals more than one metric ton, making it the largest known aubrite by recovered mass. Aubrites are rare, enstatite rich achondrites formed through igneous processes on a differentiated parent body, so the fall is studied by researchers investigating early planetary formation.
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Norton County ranks #28 of 213 in the Meteorite ranking, behind Peekskill, ahead of Campo del Cielo.
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What happened during the Norton County meteorite fall?
A brilliant fireball and loud detonations were reported near the Kansas-Nebraska border on February 18, 1948. Fragments fell across Norton County, Kansas, and neighboring Furnas County, Nebraska.
Why is Norton County important among aubrite meteorites?
Its officially recorded recovered mass is about 1.1 metric tons, making it the largest known aubrite by recovered mass. Aubrites are rare enstatite-rich achondrites rather than the more common ordinary chondrites.
Where is the main mass of the Norton County meteorite?
The roughly one-ton main mass is displayed at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Researchers connected with the university led the recovery effort after the 1948 fall.
Is Norton County an iron meteorite or a stony meteorite?
Norton County is a stony achondrite classified as an aubrite. Its mineralogy is dominated by enstatite formed under extremely reducing conditions, so it is chemically and visually different from an iron meteorite.
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