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Met Name

Met Type

Thin Sections

131.7 grams.   Mesosiderite-B4

TKW 5.5 kg. Fall not observed. Found 2015, Gao, Mali.


 

Darryl writes:

I was gleeful upon learning of a meteorite being named Timbuktu. As a child I became familiar with the expression "From here to Timbuktu" and recall having repeatedly invoked it without knowing what I was saying. I found delight in any reference to Timbuktu in cartoons; there was just something about the word. Rhythmic, alliterative and exotic, Timbuktu conjured images of genies and magic carpets. Even today when I encounter "Timbuktu" in most contexts it invariably provides a smile. It’s fun when meteorites are found in places that provide eye-widening names. Waldo, Yambo, Prarie Dog Creek, Lick Creek, Fuzzy Creek, Johnny’s Donga ... Timbuktu. And everything else being the same, it anecdotally does appear that a meteorite with the better name is worth more.

Names aside, Timbuktu is a great meteorite. It’s one of only four (4) mesosiderites with the B4 classification (the other three being Budulan, Mincy and Bondoc — all renowned). This cut and polished slice reveals an abundance of large-grained metal as well as bountiful and vibrant silicate inclusions punctuated by a prominent nodule of iron-nickel. It’s also available at no reserve at Sotheby’s current Natural History auction — featuring more than 25 meteorites at no reserve — which ends this Friday, December 3rd.

View the full auction catalog here