Description
Rare Genuine Chelyabinsk LL5 Meteorite from the Famous Russian Fall of 2013
This rare genuine Chelyabinsk LL5 Meteorite is an authentic extraterrestrial specimen from the internationally famous witnessed meteorite fall over Chelyabinsk, Russia on 15 February 2013. Weighing 13.13 grams, this impressive meteorite fragment represents one of the most significant modern meteorite events ever recorded and preserves primitive asteroid material formed over 4.5 billion years ago.
The exact meteorite shown in the photographs is the specimen you will receive. This carefully selected space rock includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity confirming the meteorite is completely genuine.
Please refer to the photographs for full sizing and scale.
About the Chelyabinsk Meteorite Fall
The Chelyabinsk meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere over southern Russia on 15 February 2013, producing an extremely bright fireball visible across a vast region. Travelling at tremendous speed, the meteoroid fragmented violently in the atmosphere, generating a powerful airburst shockwave that damaged buildings and was recorded extensively on cameras, dashboards, and satellite systems worldwide.
This event became the most documented meteorite fall in human history and represented the largest known atmospheric impact event since the Tunguska event of 1908. Thousands of meteorite fragments were subsequently recovered across the Chelyabinsk region, particularly around Lake Chebarkul where larger masses impacted.
The combination of extensive scientific documentation, eyewitness accounts, video recordings, and recovered specimens makes Chelyabinsk one of the most historically important meteorites ever discovered.
Meteorite Classification and Composition
Chelyabinsk is officially classified as an LL5 Ordinary Chondrite. The “LL” classification indicates low total iron and low metallic iron content relative to other ordinary chondrite groups, while the petrologic type 5 designation reflects moderate thermal metamorphism experienced within the parent asteroid.
The meteorite is composed primarily of silicate minerals including olivine and pyroxene, together with feldspathic material, sulphides, and small metallic iron-nickel grains. Like all chondrites, Chelyabinsk originally formed from primitive solar system material during the earliest stages of planetary formation over 4.5 billion years ago.
Many Chelyabinsk specimens display a mixture of light-coloured and shock-darkened lithologies caused by intense impact processes within the parent asteroid before arrival on Earth. These shock effects created distinctive dark melt veins and fractured textures that make Chelyabinsk visually recognisable among collectors.
The meteorite’s internal structure may preserve altered chondrules, silicate textures, metallic flecks, and impact-generated melt features associated with the violent history of the parent asteroid.
Geological and Cosmic History
The Chelyabinsk meteoroid originated within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter before orbital interactions eventually sent it toward Earth. Scientific analysis suggests the object experienced major shock events within its parent asteroid long before the 2013 atmospheric entry event.
Upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, the meteoroid generated enormous thermal and mechanical stress, leading to fragmentation at high altitude. The resulting shockwave released energy equivalent to hundreds of kilotons of TNT, producing one of the most significant atmospheric explosions of the modern era.
Fragments recovered shortly after the fall often retain exceptionally fresh fusion crust and minimal terrestrial weathering, making Chelyabinsk specimens highly desirable for both collectors and scientific research.
The witnessed nature of the fall, combined with extensive global media coverage, has established Chelyabinsk as one of the most iconic meteorites in modern history.
Appearance and Natural Features
This Chelyabinsk meteorite specimen displays the characteristic appearance associated with fresh LL5 chondrites, including dark fusion crust remnants, shock-darkened matrix, fractured silicate textures, and natural extraterrestrial structure.
Depending on the fragment orientation and preservation, visible features may include melt veins, brecciated textures, metallic flecks, lighter silicate regions, and impact-related shock structures formed both in space and during atmospheric entry.
Colouration may range from charcoal grey and black fusion crust to lighter brown-grey silicate interiors and dark impact melt zones. Natural fragmentation surfaces and fusion textures contribute directly to the individuality and authenticity of the specimen.
As a genuine meteorite from a documented witnessed fall, every Chelyabinsk specimen is entirely unique in shape, structure, and preservation.
Exceptional Modern Witnessed Fall Meteorite
Chelyabinsk meteorites are among the most sought-after witnessed fall meteorites in the world due to their historical significance, scientific importance, and extraordinary public visibility.
This specimen is ideal for:
- Meteorite and space rock collections
- Witnessed fall meteorite collections
- Planetary science displays
- Museum-style natural history collections
- Educational astronomy collections
- Space exploration and impact event collections
- Gifts for meteorite collectors and enthusiasts
- Rare extraterrestrial material collections
Its direct connection to the globally documented 2013 Russian fireball event makes this an especially desirable and historically important meteorite specimen.
Genuine Extraterrestrial Specimen
This RARE Chelyabinsk LL5 Meteorite from the witnessed Russian fall of 2013 is a genuine carefully selected specimen chosen for its authenticity, historical importance, and display appeal.
The exact meteorite shown in the photographs is the specimen you will receive. Every meteorite supplied by us is 100% genuine and includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, providing confidence in the authenticity and extraterrestrial origin of this remarkable modern witnessed fall meteorite.
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