Observed Fall of an Aërolite near St. Albans

Abstract

DURING a heavy thunderstorm which ensued on Monday, March 4, between 2.30 p.m. and 4.15 p.m., an aërolite was observed to fall at Colney Heath, near St. Albans. The observer, who has placed the specimen in my hands for examination, stated that the stone fell within a few feet from where he was standing, and that it entered the ground for a distance of about 3 ft. Its fall was accompanied by an unusually heavy clap of thunder. The example weighs 5 lb. 14½ oz., and measures 6¾ in. × 5$\frac{5}{8}$ in. at its greatest length and breadth respectively. The mass is irregularly ovate on the one side, and broken in outline on the other. The actual surface throughout is fairly deeply pitted, and under magnification exhibits the usual chondritic structure of the crystalline matter, with interspersed particles of what appears to be nickeliferous iron.