{"product_id":"126-9g-campo-del-cielo-iron-meteorite-beautiful-pattern-from-the-core-of-an-asteroid","title":"126.9g Campo Del Cielo Iron Meteorite - Beautiful Pattern - From The Core Of An Asteroid!","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou are viewing a Campo Del Cielo meteorite, which came from the core of a huge asteroid large enough to have a nickel\/iron core. The pattern is absolutely stunning on this one. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFun Facts about the famous Campo Del Cielo meteorite: \u003cspan\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCampo Del Cielo's crater field is so large that it covers an area of 11.5 by 1.9 miles and contains at least 26 craters, the largest being 377 by 299 feet in diameter!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe name Campo del Cielo is Spanish for \"Field of Heaven,\" a fitting description for the region where fragments of the meteorite were originally discovered.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe meteorite impact is estimated to have occurred between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe total estimated mass of the original celestial body was several tons.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eScientists believe the meteorite fractured into many pieces as it entered the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in a large scattering of fragments across the impact area.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Iron Meteorites:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIron meteorites consist almost entirely of nickel and iron and are thought to originate from the cores of ancient, differentiated asteroids. In the early solar system, these large asteroids underwent internal melting, causing heavier elements like iron and nickel to sink toward their centers—much like the Earth’s own core. Over time, catastrophic collisions shattered these bodies, sending fragments hurtling through space until some eventually landed on Earth as meteorites.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most striking features of iron meteorites is the Widmanstätten pattern—a distinctive interlocking crystalline structure of nickel-iron alloys that can be revealed through careful acid etching. This process requires expert preparation, including stabilization, slicing, and polishing, as even slight errors can damage the specimen. The pattern itself is often called the meteorite’s “thumbprint” because it is entirely unique and cannot be replicated in laboratory conditions. Its formation requires incredibly slow cooling—about one degree Celsius every 10,000 years—making it a visual testament to the vast timescales and processes that shaped our solar system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Interstellar Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51707100922151,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0682\/2556\/4967\/files\/CF443402-9DBF-411B-85F3-510B086F6A9E.jpg?v=1785008361","url":"https:\/\/theinterstellarcollection.com\/products\/126-9g-campo-del-cielo-iron-meteorite-beautiful-pattern-from-the-core-of-an-asteroid","provider":"The Interstellar Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}