Title: An investigation of organic compounds in the Mighei meteorite Author: P. H. Buhl
To test the influence of secondary radiation reactions in the formation of amino acids in carbonaceous chondrites, four known meteorite dicarboxylic amino acids and an additional homolog dicarboxylic amino acid were irradiated with gamma rays. The irradiation experiment produced amino acid suites similar to those found in meteorites but in smaller concentrations. The aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons of the Mighei meteorite were also examined. The C15 to C26 aliphatic hydrocarbons were primarily n-alkanes with smaller amounts of other isomers. The aromatic hydrocarbons were similar to those previously found in the Murchison meteorite. It is noted that the techniques for determining indigenous amino acids permit an accurate determination of these compounds. This information can be used to understand chemical processes during or after formation of the carbonaceous chondrites. However, the terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin of other classes of meteorite organic compounds is unknown.
Kostenkova, a peasant, was standing 350 m to the east of the meteorite fall. She witnessed a flying bolide accompanied by a strong whirlwind. According to Kostenkova, the meteorite fell to earth from a height of 20-25 m, and it fell quite vertically... The meteorite seemed a black round rotating sphere like a big watermelon; "smoke and steam like a huge wheel surrounded it". The meteorite buried into the soil for half its diameter...Falling, the meteorite knocked down three sunflowers...All the leaves on the sunflowers around the meteorite hole up to a height of 1.5 m, were covered by a black, marked layer of soot. (Yu.N. Simashko, Mining engineer) Source
The Mighei (stone; CM2, carbonaceous chondrite) meteorite fell in Mykolaďv Province, Ukraine, on the 18th June, 1889. Recovered weight: 8 kg
Location: 48° 4' N, 30° 58' E
The Mighei meteorite is generally considered to be unique amongst the group of stony meteorites known as the carbonaceous chondrites in a number of scientifically interesting aspects. The meteorite, which is related to the type II carbonaceous chondrites of Wiik's classification (or type C2 according to van Schmus and Wood), contains extraterrestrial organic compounds (general C content = 2.6%), and extraterrestrial water associated with iron-magnesium silicate crystals (general H2O content=12%). The meteorite fall occurred in 1889, over a region in the Ukraine. In structure it was found to be a chondritic meteorite, having chondrules of order 0.5 mm in size. The composition of the meteorite is inhomogeneous. Read more