Novato meteorite | |
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![]() Peter Jenniskens meteor trajectory. Six fragments have been found in Novato, California. More massive 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) fragments may have fallen near Sonoma with any 10 kilograms (22 lb) fragments possibly falling near Yountville / St. Helena. This trajectory estimate may be inaccurate. | |
Type | Chondrite |
Class | Ordinary chondrite |
Group | L6 |
Shock stage | S4 |
Weathering grade | W0/1 |
Country | USA |
Region | California |
Coordinates | 38°06′N 122°36′W / 38.1°N 122.6°W[1] |
Observed fall | Yes |
Fall date | 17 October 2012 |
Found date | 20 October 2012 |
TKW | ~363 grams (6 recovered)[1] |
Strewn field | Yes |
Alternative names | Mill Valley |
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The Novato meteorite is an ordinary chondrite which entered the Earth's atmosphere and broke up over Northern California at 19:44 Pacific Time on 17 October 2012. The falling bolide created a bright fireball and sonic booms and fragmented into smaller pieces as the intense friction of passing through the atmosphere heated it and absorbed its kinetic energy.[2] The meteoroid was about 35 centimeters (14 in) across.[3]