[meteorite-list] A description of Wiluna

[Rob Wesel]

I got many great replies regarding the history of Wiluna and, since it seems like a good few of us have a piece now, I thought I would give you what I got. The sources:

fallingstars.com

Mike Farmer- who has some for sale

Frank Cressy

Eric Olson- who has some for sale

And a big thanks to Lindy Brooks

This is giving me trouble copying from MS Word so if it turns out all weird looking I can send you the Word Document on request.

 

 

 

Wiluna

H5

Fell September 2, 1967

Wiluna Township, Australia

26� 35' 34" South 120� 19' 42" East

The Wiluna Meteorite was observed to fall on September 2, 1967 at 2246 hrs. Along with sonic phenomena, a fireball was seen. An estimated 1,000 stones fell over a (very marginal arid) sheep grazing area approximately five miles east of the Wiluna Township, Western Australia. 

Almost the entire town (including people from surrounding stations (ranches)) was gathered in the outdoor movie house when the fireball came over.  They heard electrophonic sounds - crackling and hissing while the fireball was visible and incandescent. The diesel generator which powers the town cut out, and when the policeman went to jump in his Landcruiser and investigate, it would not start until well after the fireball was over.

Local land holders picked up many of the stones and the Western Australia Museum came out and organized a systematic search of the four by two mile strewn field with the help of the local aborigines. 

It was all picked up soon after it fell, which is why it looks so pristine.

Bob Haag's 1997 edition of his Field Guide of Meteorites notes "Interestingly, the Wiluna strewnfield overlaps that of Millbillillie."

The material recovered has been estimated to be in excess of 150 kg. The individual masses range in weights, from 2 grams, up to 10 kg. Analysis of this H5 chondrite demonstrated the meteorite contains more than 24% Iron.

This piece comes from the Western Australia Museum collection and bears the identification numbers 12934 indicating the Wiluna fall and 95 indicating the number of the particular piece.