Meteorite Gatuto – Kenya
Type: stony meteorite / ordinary chondrite L6
Locality: Kenya
Weight: 2,18g
Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 5 mm
Year fell: 2020
Total known weight: 25 kg
Surface treatment: cut, polished slice
Packaging: Transparent plastic box (5,8 x 3,8 x 1,6 cm)
Gatuto Meteorite – L6 Chondrite from Kenya with an Observed Fall
The Gatuto meteorite is an ordinary chondrite of class L6, indicating that it contains a lower amount of iron compared to other chondrites. It fell on April 24, 2020 in the Kirinyaga area in Kenya. The event was observed around 8:27 PM local time, when witnesses saw a bright trail in the sky, followed by three detonations and another prolonged sound ending in an explosion. The total weight of recovered fragments is estimated at approximately 25 kilograms.
Some fragments of the Gatuto meteorite landed in populated areas, including one that broke through a house roof, while larger pieces were found in surrounding villages and near a road. It is characterized by a light gray color with a crystalline texture resembling sugar and visible metallic grains. Some specimens display thin black shock veins. A black fusion crust formed during atmospheric entry is often present on the surface.