Claxton meteorite

Claxton^[1] is an L6 chondrite meteorite that fell to earth on December 10, 1984 in Georgia, United States. It is the only known meteorite to directly strike a mailbox.^[2]

Claxton
Type	Chondrite
Class	Ordinary chondrite
Group	L6
Country	United States of America
Region	Georgia
Coordinates	32°09′N 81°54′W[1]
Observed fall	Yes
Fall date	December 10, 1984
Found date	December 9, 1984
TKW	1.46 kg

Mailbox strike

According to the eyewitness account of Claxton, Georgia resident Don Richardson, the meteorite struck his neighbor's mailbox about 36 metres (118 ft) from his position.^[3] The rear of the mailbox was crushed and the mailbox was knocked to the ground. A collector bought the mailbox from the homeowner and sold it to the Macovich Collection where it is valued at $60,000–$80,000.^[4]

Classification

It is an ordinary chondrite type L6 with a light grey interior containing chondrules and free iron.^[4]

See also

• Glossary of meteoritics
• Meteorite falls
• Ordinary chondrite