Pitts meteorite, Wilcox County, Georgia, USAi

Regional Level Types
Pitts meteorite	Meteorite Fall Location
Wilcox County	County
Georgia	State
USA	Country

Iron meteorite, octahedrite (IAB, ungrouped; Of)
Fall, April 20, 1921. 3.7 kg

After a fireball and detonations, 4 pieces of an unusual iron meteorite were found, the largest with a mass of 1.6 kg. In addition to the usual kamacite, taenite, and Fe-rich phases expected in an octahedrite, Pitts has an unusually large troilite component (25 vol%). Furthermore, while usually classified as an iron meteorite, the presence of conspicuous silicate inclusions has occasionally resulted in Pitts and other similar meteorites being deemed 'mesosiderites' or 'Stony-Irons.' Oxides in the fusion crust and limonite staining - unusual in a witnessed fall - further complicate matters.

As a matter of fact, there are often good reasons to look at more than simply the silicate/metal ratios in determining the proper classification of the Irons and Stony-Irons. Nevertheless, determining the most scientifically useful boundaries is one of constantly evolving criteria. At the present time (late 2014) 274 iron meteorites have been grouped into the large 'IAB complex' (embracing both the former IAB and ICD irons) with several minor subdivisions. Future changes are more or less to be expected if history is any guide.

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References