description Vaca Muerta Overview
Vaca Muerta is a mesosiderite meteorite discovered in the Atacama Desert of Chile in the nineteenth century. Mesosiderites are stony-iron meteorites made from brecciated silicate rock mixed with iron-nickel metal, evidence of impact-driven disruption and reassembly on a differentiated asteroid. Thousands of kilograms of Vaca Muerta material have been recovered from a broad strewn field, including weathered masses and scattered fragments.
help Vaca Muerta FAQ
What type of meteorite is Vaca Muerta?
Vaca Muerta is a rare mesosiderite, which is a class of stony-iron meteorites. It consists of a fascinating brecciated mix of silicate rock and iron-nickel metal, resulting from violent cosmic collisions.
Where was the Vaca Muerta meteorite discovered?
The meteorite was discovered in the harsh Atacama Desert of Chile during the nineteenth century. The total known weight of all recovered masses is over 300 kilograms, making it one of the largest mesosiderites ever found.
What does the name Vaca Muerta mean?
Translated from Spanish, Vaca Muerta means 'dead cow.' The meteorite received this unusual name because early discoverers mistook some of the large, heavy iron masses for the skeletons of deceased livestock.
Is Vaca Muerta meteorite easy for collectors to purchase?
Yes, because an enormous amount of material was recovered from the Chilean desert, Vaca Muerta slices are quite common and relatively affordable in the meteorite collecting community. Collectors are particularly drawn to specimens that display the stark contrast between the shiny metal flecks and the dark silicate matrix.
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