Description
Rare Genuine Henbury IIIAB Iron Meteorite from Australia
This rare genuine Henbury IIIAB Iron Meteorite is an authentic extraterrestrial specimen recovered from the famous Henbury crater field in the Northern Territory of Australia. Weighing an impressive 79.64 grams, this historic meteorite represents material from one of the world’s most significant meteorite impact sites and preserves metallic asteroid core 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 Henbury Meteorite
The Henbury meteorite is classified as a IIIAB Iron Meteorite, a major group of iron meteorites believed to originate from the metallic cores of differentiated asteroids destroyed during the early history of the solar system. Iron meteorites of this classification are composed primarily of iron-nickel metal alloys that crystallised slowly within asteroid interiors over immense geological timescales.
The Henbury meteorite impact occurred in central Australia and produced a crater field consisting of multiple impact craters spread across the desert landscape. The impact event is estimated to have taken place approximately 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, making it relatively recent in geological terms.
Meteorite fragments from the Henbury crater field were formally recognised and scientifically investigated in 1931, leading to worldwide interest in the site and its exceptional iron meteorite specimens.
Henbury meteorites are highly sought after among collectors due to their historical importance, excellent preservation, and direct association with a visible terrestrial impact crater field.
Meteorite Composition and Structure
Henbury meteorites are composed predominantly of iron and nickel alloys including kamacite and taenite, together with accessory meteoritic minerals such as troilite, schreibersite, and graphite inclusions.
As a IIIAB iron meteorite, Henbury material can display internal Widmanstätten structures when cut and acid etched. These interlocking crystalline patterns form only through extremely slow cooling inside asteroid cores and are impossible to reproduce naturally under terrestrial conditions.
Natural specimens often display regmaglypts, atmospheric sculpting, impact fracturing, oxidation textures, and weathering features created during atmospheric entry and long-term exposure within the Australian desert environment.
The substantial 79.64g weight provides this specimen with excellent display presence and a satisfying dense metallic feel characteristic of genuine iron meteorites.
The Henbury Crater Field and Historical Significance
The Henbury crater field consists of multiple meteorite impact craters formed when a large iron meteoroid fragmented in Earth’s atmosphere before striking the ground. The site remains one of Australia’s most important meteorite localities and has played a major role in scientific understanding of impact processes and crater formation.
The impact site attracted international scientific attention following its formal investigation in 1931. Numerous meteorite fragments were recovered around the craters, helping establish the extraterrestrial origin of the site and contributing to modern impact geology studies.
The crater field is also historically significant within Australian natural history and remains one of the best-known meteorite impact localities in the Southern Hemisphere.
Meteorites directly associated with recognised crater fields are especially desirable because they possess both extraterrestrial and terrestrial geological significance.
Appearance and Natural Features
This Henbury meteorite specimen displays the classic appearance associated with historic iron meteorites, including natural metallic surfaces, regmaglyptic sculpting, oxidation textures, and irregular atmospheric shaping produced during its fiery passage through Earth’s atmosphere.
Colouration may include metallic silver-grey, dark brown oxidation, reddish iron weathering tones, and naturally textured fusion-related surfaces depending on preservation and terrestrial exposure.
Natural impact fractures, surface depressions, and weathering features contribute directly to the individuality and authenticity of the meteorite. Every Henbury specimen is entirely unique due to the violent fragmentation and atmospheric breakup associated with the original impact event.
Exceptional Collector Meteorite
Henbury meteorites are highly prized among collectors due to their rarity, historic crater association, and scientific importance. Larger complete individuals and substantial fragments are particularly desirable for advanced collections and museum-style displays.
This specimen is ideal for:
- Meteorite and space rock collections
- Iron meteorite collections
- Planetary geology displays
- Museum-style natural history collections
- Educational astronomy collections
- Impact crater and planetary science displays
- Curiosity cabinets and interior décor
- Gifts for serious meteorite collectors and enthusiasts
Its documented historical provenance and connection to a famous Australian crater field make this an especially collectable extraterrestrial specimen.
Genuine Extraterrestrial Specimen
This RARE Henbury IIIAB Iron Meteorite from the Australian crater field discovered in 1931 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 iron meteorite from one of Australia’s most famous impact sites.
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