Where do our meteorites come from?
Campo del Cielo (‘Field of the Sky’) is a famous group of iron meteorites found in an area in Argentina. This area is located on the border of the provinces of Chaco and Santiago del Estero and covers around 60 square kilometres.
Historical and scientific aspects:
1 Discovery and name:
- The existence of the meteorite field had been known to the indigenous population for centuries. They told of an ‘iron mass’ that had fallen from the sky.
- The Spanish colonists learnt about the field in the 16th century, and in 1576 the Spanish governor Hernán Mexía de Miraval officially reported it. The name ‘Campo del Cielo’ dates from this time.
2 Age and origin:
- The meteorites originate from a meteor shower that hit the earth around 4000 to 5000 years ago. The original object is estimated to be around 4 metres in diameter.
- The material comes from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where collisions produced fragments that eventually reached Earth.
3. composition:
- The meteorites consist mainly of iron (approx. 93 %) and nickel (approx. 6.7 %) as well as traces of cobalt, iridium and other elements.
- The structure of the meteorites shows typical Widmanstätten structures, which were formed by slow cooling in the interior of an asteroid.
4. the largest meteorite ever found:
- One of the largest meteorites ever found, El Chaco, comes from this field and weighs about 37 tonnes.
- Another large meteorite, Gancedo, weighs around 30 tonnes and was only discovered in 2016.
1 Discovery and name:
- The existence of the meteorite field had been known to the indigenous population for centuries. They told of an ‘iron mass’ that had fallen from the sky.
- The Spanish colonists learnt about the field in the 16th century, and in 1576 the Spanish governor Hernán Mexía de Miraval officially reported it. The name ‘Campo del Cielo’ dates from this time.
2 Age and origin:
- The meteorites originate from a meteor shower that hit the earth around 4000 to 5000 years ago. The original object is estimated to be around 4 metres in diameter.
- The material comes from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where collisions produced fragments that eventually reached Earth.
3. composition:
- The meteorites consist mainly of iron (approx. 93 %) and nickel (approx. 6.7 %) as well as traces of cobalt, iridium and other elements.
- The structure of the meteorites shows typical Widmanstätten structures, which were formed by slow cooling in the interior of an asteroid.
4. the largest meteorite ever found:
- One of the largest meteorites ever found, El Chaco, comes from this field and weighs about 37 tonnes.
- Another large meteorite, Gancedo, weighs around 30 tonnes and was only discovered in 2016.
Meteorite jewellery has a mystical and symbolic meaning in various cultures and spiritual beliefs, often linked to the heavens, the cosmos and the connection to universal energies. Here are some key aspects:
1. connection to the cosmos
Meteorites are seen as transmitters of energies and messages from the universe. As they have literally ‘fallen from the sky’, they symbolise the connection between the earth and the cosmos. Meteorite jewellery is often worn to:
- receive cosmic energies
- create a connection with the stars and the universe
- Strengthen the feeling of infinity and the transcendent
2. spiritual protection
- Meteorites are considered protective amulets in many spiritual traditions. They are said to ward off negative energies and protect the wearer from danger.
- In esotericism, meteorite jewellery is often used to clear the mind and release energetic blockages.
3. symbol of transformation and new beginnings
Meteorites undergo extreme conditions in space and when entering the earth's atmosphere. Thus they symbolise:
- transformation and adaptation to change
- the overcoming of challenges
- The courage to make new beginnings and personal growth
4. grounding and stability
Although meteorites are of celestial origin, they are also said to have a strong grounding effect.
Thanks to ChatGPT :)
1. connection to the cosmos
Meteorites are seen as transmitters of energies and messages from the universe. As they have literally ‘fallen from the sky’, they symbolise the connection between the earth and the cosmos. Meteorite jewellery is often worn to:
- receive cosmic energies
- create a connection with the stars and the universe
- Strengthen the feeling of infinity and the transcendent
2. spiritual protection
- Meteorites are considered protective amulets in many spiritual traditions. They are said to ward off negative energies and protect the wearer from danger.
- In esotericism, meteorite jewellery is often used to clear the mind and release energetic blockages.
3. symbol of transformation and new beginnings
Meteorites undergo extreme conditions in space and when entering the earth's atmosphere. Thus they symbolise:
- transformation and adaptation to change
- the overcoming of challenges
- The courage to make new beginnings and personal growth
4. grounding and stability
Although meteorites are of celestial origin, they are also said to have a strong grounding effect.
Thanks to ChatGPT :)
