* Astronomy

Title: On a meteorite from N'Kandhla District, Zululand
Authors: Prof. George Hardy Stanley, A.R.S3I., FJ.C.

This meteorite was observed to fall on the 1st of August, 1912, and is therefore of quite exceptional interest, as, of the large number of this variety which have been found, less than a dozen have been actually seen to fall, and, of course, others have been seen without having been subsequently found.
The phenomena accompanying the fall call for no special comment, as there appears to be no material difference between the observations reported in the present instance and those recorded in connection with other falls.
Briefly, the first occurrence noted was the usual sound of an explosion, which naturally attracted attention over a considerable area, and on looking up into the sky, a rapidly moving body was seen, which left a spiral trail of smoke and at the same time appeared to produce a rumbling or crackling sound.
It is not clear that only one was afterwards found, though I have only been able to definitely locate one ; there may have been two or three, but the one which forms the subject of this communication fell near the junction of the Buffalo and Tugela rivers, on the Pokinyoni hill, in the N'kandhla district, within a few yards of a native woman.
The accounts are somewhat in conflict as to the direction in which the meteorite travelled, but it was probably towards the South-East.

The time of its appearance is variously given as from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., but the latter appears to be the correct statement, affidavits and other statements in connection with the fall are appended.
It is of interest to note that two other meteorites were seen at not very distant dates ; one on June 2nd was observed at places as far apart as Grahamstown, Malmesbury, Port Nolloth. Potchefstroom, Standerton, and maaiy intermediate places : another on August 6th at Umtata, Tembuland, but in neither case was the actual fall, if any, observed.
This meteorite weighs nearly 38 pounds, and consists almost entirely, of nickel-iron alloy; it is therefore classed as a siderite.
It is coated with a skin of magnetic oxide exhibiting flow lines, and shows also a profusion of "thumb marks."

Read more