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Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies

Dishchii’bikoh

Dishchii’bikoh is an (LL7) ordinary chondrite that fell the morning of June 2, 2016, near the eastern Arizona community of Cibecue.

meteorite in the field

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: ASU/CMS.

From the Meteoritical Bulletin (MB 106):

History: (D. Dunlap, M. Fries, R. Garcia, L. Garvie, M. Hankey, R. Matson, P. Mane, M. Miller, R. Ward) At 3:56:34 MST (10:56:34 UTC) on 2 June 2016, a bright fireball was widely observed throughout the southwestern US. The fireball was recorded in imagery from the NOAA NEXRAD weather radar network, on the KFSX radar in Flagstaff, Arizona. Radar reflections consistent with falling meteorite material were first recorded at 10:57:12 UTC at an altitude of 9.7 km above sea level (ASL). Two additional radar sweeps recorded the event, at 11:01:14 UTC (5.1 km ASL) and 11:02:30 UTC (5.1 km ASL). The mass of meteorites for these detections was estimated at 3.7 kg, 2.15 g, and 0.54 g respectively, using M. Fries’ dark-flight model Jörmungundr (v.42) and wind velocity data from a radiosonde launched from Flagstaff at 00:00 UTC. The fireball was also recorded on US Department of Defense orbital sensors, leading to a total radiated energy of 17.2 × 1010 J, with energy equivalent to 0.49 kiloton of TNT. The air-blast shockwave was recorded on the earthquake seismic network from the Payson-Strawberry station. Analysis of the Doppler radar data showed stones likely on the ground on the southwestern corner of the White Mountain Apache tribal (WMAT) lands. With the help of Jacob Moore (Assistant Vice-president of Tribal Relations, ASU), permission was granted by Ronnie Lupe, the WMAT Tribal Chairman, to enter the tribal lands and search for and collect meteorites. Laurence Garvie, Daniel Dunlap, and Prajkta Mane of ASU, and private meteorite hunters Robert Ward, Mike Miller, and Ruben Garcia searched for meteorites starting 22 June 2016. Robert Ward found the first stone, 0.93 g, at 33°53’19.7 N and 110°37’55.0’ W. A total of 15 fusion-crusted stones weighing from 0.9 to 28.6 g, for a total of 79.46 g, were found on 22 and 23 June, 2016. The stones were found along a 1.7 km transect, with a 10.16 g stone found at 33°53’0.48"N and 110°38’8.20"W near the center of the finds, though this location is likely at the small end of a large strewnfield that extends to the SW.

new AZ meteorite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Stone measures ~ 1cm wide. Photo credit: ASU/CMS.

Physical characteristics: (L. Garvie, D. Dunlap, P. Mane, ASU; R. Ward, M. Miller, R. Garcia). Fifteen fusion-crusted stones for a total mass of 79.46 g. Fusion crust is dominantly shiny black, though on two stones it is brown, matte, and powdery. Five of the stones broke upon impact. Interiors are whitish gray, with uneven distribution of darker clasts to 5 mm, and troilite to 3 mm. Stones are dominantly soft with a sugary texture.

Read more about the search for this meteorite, here!