Pantar:The Sky is Falling. Really!Lets hope its not a bomb! |
Pantar, Philippines is an amazing meteorite. Not for its H5 class, the second most common type of chondrite after the oft-shunned L6. But instead Pantar has several wonderfully detailed descriptions about its 1938 fall and its travel from the island and into our collections. The heavily crusted end section of Pantar in the author’s collection also contains a specimen number from the Jim DuPont collection adding history to its history. The two stories below chronicle the fall of Pantar, and instantly launched Pantar to must-have status for serious collectors. |
The activity within the matrix of Pantar is almost as busy as the global events surrounding its fall. |
Pantar is an important reminder that a meteorite fall occurs somewhere at some time, and that place and space are forever part of the meteorite’s story. Some landing sites are somewhat benign to the story, but others such as with Pantar, are an essential element that sets this meteorite apart and far and above the average chondrite.
So as you add dates and locations to your collection, don’t forget to add the essence of the time and place as well. Because if you ignore the importance of the where and the when of the fall, the meteorite becomes, well, just a meteorite.
Until next time….