(meteorobs) Stone at Mecca

[Matson, Robert]

Hi All,

The Wabar craters are associated with a large iron meteorite fall;
however, I seriously doubt that the black stone at Ka'ba (literally,
"square building" is an iron meteorite.  It could, however, be an
unusually large specimen of black impactite glass from one of the
Wabar craters -- i.e. a giant Wabar pearl.  That the black stone
(which has broken into several pieces) has been worn smooth by
centuries of rubbing/kissing further supports the idea that it is
fused silica, rather than iron or chondritic material.  --Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org
[mailto:meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 4:06 PM
To: Global Meteor Observing Forum
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Stone at Mecca


The 'encased meteorite' at Ka'ba is believed to be the Wabar meteorite that
was extensively researched by Gene Shoemaker.

Richard Wade
(South Africa)