Weston meteorite (incl Easton; Trumbull; Fairfield), Easton (Weston), Fairfield County, Connecticut, USAi
Regional Level Types | |
---|---|
Weston meteorite (incl Easton; Trumbull; Fairfield) | Strewn Field |
Easton (Weston) | - not defined - |
Fairfield County | County |
Connecticut | State |
USA | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
41° 15' 55'' North , 73° 16' 35'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Locality type:
Meteorite Class:
Meteoritical Society Class:
KΓΆppen climate type:
First witnessed fall in the United States, December 14, 1807.
Olivine-Bronzite Chondrite (H4; S3; W0).
Approximate recovered mass 149.7 kg; Several stones, largest 90.7 kg (fragmented)
NOTE: Most of the fragments of this meteorite were found within the boundaries of the modern town of Easton, which was the eastern part of the town of Weston until 1845, when it became a separate town. Other finds are in the towns of Trumbull and Fairfield, which were already separate towns in 1807 (King and Petruny, 2008). The locality marker is placed at the main recovery site in modern day Easton.
Witnesses saw and heard the early morning βred fire ballβ along its generally north-to-south path in southern Vermont, western Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Many sonic booms were heard, though having no experience with that modern phenomenon, it was described in ways familiar at the time, as related by Brown (1989):
Nathan Wheeler saw the meteorite, a "globe of fire," as he stood outside his house in Weston early Monday morning: "its appearance was distinct and well defined, like that of the sun seen through the mist." Judge Wheeler must have been a militia man or a veteran, because he drew his precise and descriptive analogies from the drill or battlefield. The flight lasted about thirty seconds and was followed, after a short interval, by three "loud and distinct reports, like those of a four pounder, near at hand." These were succeeded by a noise similar to "a volley of musketry, protracted into what is called, in military language, a running fire," which continued for a short while after the object was lost to sight.
Benjamin Silliman and James Kingsley went to Weston on December 18 and remained for two days, interviewing witnesses, collecting specimens, and inspecting the points of impact, essentially inventing the field study of meteoritics. But right away they ran into the also newly created economic aspect of meteorites as Brown (1989) describes:
Fragments of the exploding stone had rained about the town, and one large piece struck not two rods distant from the Prince house. This intrepid family, upon discovering the treasure that had buried itself in their front yard, promptly dug it up and smashed it apart, discerning, with a sense of true Yankee economy, that if one stone could be valuable, many were more so. Others combed the countryside, searching for the telltale signs of violent impact.
Merchant Isaac Bronson...wrote on December 31 to report that an additional portion of the meteor, weighing approximately thirty-seven pounds, had been discovered near Taskaway Hill but that the discoverer had extravagant notions of its worth. Bronson offered farmer Jennings $5.00 and promised that, should he be able to obtain it at that price, Silliman might "rest assured" that it would be sent to "enrichβ¦the curious and valuable" collection at Yale.
Merchant Isaac Bronson...wrote on December 31 to report that an additional portion of the meteor, weighing approximately thirty-seven pounds, had been discovered near Taskaway Hill but that the discoverer had extravagant notions of its worth. Bronson offered farmer Jennings $5.00 and promised that, should he be able to obtain it at that price, Silliman might "rest assured" that it would be sent to "enrichβ¦the curious and valuable" collection at Yale.
About 300 pounds of fragments were obtained by Silliman and Kingsley and they are the first catalogued objects in the Yale meteorite collection, which is the oldest in the US.
Sillimanβs first description appeared in the Connecticut Herald on December 29. But where to publish the real scientific results became a controversial topic as there were few, well received American outlets for scientific findings at the time. An early release in France was enthusiastically received. Brown (1898) summarizes the eventual outcome, not always positive in America:
The Weston meteor drew considerable attention from across the country, even during the Embargo winter of 1807-1808. The Silliman and Day accounts appeared, in their most substantial and polished forms, in the Memoirs of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Science nearly three years after the event, but in the intervening time the essays were published "in many newspapers, and in several literary and philosophical Journals," and always in conjunction with some mention of Yale. Thomas Jefferson is supposed to have remarked upon learning of the Yalensian theory that "it is easier to believe that two Yankee professors could lie than to admit that stones could fall from heaven.β And in the first version of Washington Irving's A History of New York (1809), narrator Diedrich Knickerbocker remarks of New England that "the people at large show a keenness, a cleverness and a profundity of wisdom that savors strongly of witchcraftβand it has been remarked that whenever any stones fall from the moon, the greater part of them is sure to tumble into New England.β
By 1818, Silliman had established the American Journal of Science largely to rectify this situation.
King and Petruny (2008) have identified 4 of the 6 reported impact sites found in contemporary news reports, with an unconfirmed anecdote of a 5th site. None are currently in Weston because the original town was subdivided after 1807, they now reside in Easton, Trumbull and Fairfield.
The primary site, the Prince house, now in Easton, is about 500 m north of a road intersection at the historic 1715 Burton House. Today this is a heavily wooded, upscale housing subdivision with a vigilant neighborhood watch.
Another potential site is located a few tens of meters west of Sturbridge Lane behind several homes within Trumbull, a very stony area.
A single large fragment was found at "the foot of Tashua Hill", also now in Trumbull, the exact location uncertain, with high ground now known as Tashua Knolls including a town recreation area surrounded by woods, homes, and shopping areas.
Reportedly a small crater ~1.5 m wide and ~1 m deep with soil and bedrock ejected up to ~50 m away formed on the farm of Elijah Seeley, who lived on Hoyden Hill. It may be the same place as the Hoyden Hills within Fairfield.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsMineral List
15 valid minerals.
Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded
Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!
Select Rock List Type
Alphabetical List Tree DiagramDetailed Mineral List:
β Albite Formula: Na(AlSi3O8) Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Augite Formula: (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Augite var. Fassaite Formula: (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Chromite Formula: Fe2+Cr3+2O4 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Copper Formula: Cu Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Diopside Formula: CaMgSi2O6 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Enstatite Formula: Mg2Si2O6 Description: Enstatite (sensu stricto) β [En 91.5] within xenolith, Wagner et al.,1979 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130.; Wagner, J. K., Cohen, A. J., Hapke, B. W., & Partlow, W. D. (1979) Vacuum ultraviolet reflectance spectra of group H chondrites:In: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference X, Proceedings, Vol 2: pp. 1797-1818. New York: Pergamon Press, Inc. (March 1979). |
β Enstatite var. Bronzite Formula: (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series' Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130.; Wagner, J. K., Cohen, A. J., Hapke, B. W., & Partlow, W. D. (1979) Vacuum ultraviolet reflectance spectra of group H chondrites:In: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference X, Proceedings, Vol 2: pp. 1797-1818. New York: Pergamon Press, Inc. (March 1979). |
β Forsterite Formula: Mg2SiO4 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Ilmenite Formula: Fe2+TiO3 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Iron Formula: Fe Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130.; Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67. |
β Iron var. Kamacite Formula: (Fe,Ni) Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130.; Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67. |
β Magnetite Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Nepheline ? Formula: Na3K(Al4Si4O16) Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup' Reference: Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages. |
β 'Plessite' Reference: Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67. |
β Taenite Formula: (Fe,Ni) Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130.; Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67. |
β Tetrataenite Formula: FeNi Reference: Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67. |
β Tridymite ? Formula: SiO2 Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130. |
β Troilite Formula: FeS Reference: Meteoritics, vol. 11, June 30, 1976, p. 111-130.; Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67. |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
Group 1 - Elements | |||
---|---|---|---|
β | Copper | 1.AA.05 | Cu |
β | Iron | 1.AE.05 | Fe |
β | var. Kamacite | 1.AE.05 | (Fe,Ni) |
β | Taenite | 1.AE.10 | (Fe,Ni) |
β | Tetrataenite | 1.AE.10 | FeNi |
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
β | Troilite | 2.CC.10 | FeS |
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
β | Chromite | 4.BB.05 | Fe2+Cr3+2O4 |
β | Ilmenite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2+TiO3 |
β | Magnetite | 4.BB.05 | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
β | Tridymite ? | 4.DA.10 | SiO2 |
Group 9 - Silicates | |||
β | Albite | 9.FA.35 | Na(AlSi3O8) |
β | Augite | 9.DA.15 | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
β | var. Fassaite | 9.DA.15 | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
β | Diopside | 9.DA.15 | CaMgSi2O6 |
β | Enstatite | 9.DA.05 | Mg2Si2O6 |
β | var. Bronzite | 9.DA.05 | (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 |
β | Forsterite | 9.AC.05 | Mg2SiO4 |
β | Nepheline ? | 9.FA.05 | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc. | |||
β | 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series' | - | |
β | 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup' | - | |
β | 'Plessite' | - |
List of minerals for each chemical element
O | Oxygen | |
---|---|---|
O | β Enstatite var. Bronzite | (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 |
O | β Chromite | Fe2+Cr23+O4 |
O | β Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
O | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
O | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
O | β Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
O | β Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
O | β Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
O | β Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
O | β Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
O | β Tridymite | SiO2 |
O | β Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
Na | Sodium | |
Na | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Na | β Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
Na | β Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
Mg | Magnesium | |
Mg | β Enstatite var. Bronzite | (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 |
Mg | β Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
Mg | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Mg | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
Mg | β Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
Mg | β Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
Al | Aluminium | |
Al | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Al | β Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
Al | β Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
Si | Silicon | |
Si | β Enstatite var. Bronzite | (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 |
Si | β Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
Si | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Si | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
Si | β Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
Si | β Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
Si | β Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
Si | β Tridymite | SiO2 |
Si | β Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
S | Sulfur | |
S | β Troilite | FeS |
K | Potassium | |
K | β Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
Ca | Calcium | |
Ca | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Ca | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
Ca | β Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
Ti | Titanium | |
Ti | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Ti | β Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
Cr | Chromium | |
Cr | β Chromite | Fe2+Cr23+O4 |
Fe | Iron | |
Fe | β Enstatite var. Bronzite | (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 |
Fe | β Chromite | Fe2+Cr23+O4 |
Fe | β Troilite | FeS |
Fe | β Iron var. Kamacite | (Fe,Ni) |
Fe | β Taenite | (Fe,Ni) |
Fe | β Augite var. Fassaite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
Fe | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
Fe | β Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
Fe | β Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
Fe | β Tetrataenite | FeNi |
Fe | β Iron | Fe |
Ni | Nickel | |
Ni | β Iron var. Kamacite | (Fe,Ni) |
Ni | β Taenite | (Fe,Ni) |
Ni | β Tetrataenite | FeNi |
Cu | Copper | |
Cu | β Copper | Cu |
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Meteoritics (1976): 11(June 30): 111-130.
Wagner, J.K., Cohen, A.J., Hapke, B.W. & Partlow, W.D. (1979) Vacuum ultraviolet reflectance spectra of group H chondrites:In: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference X, Proceedings, Vol 2: pp. 1797-1818. New York: Pergamon Press, Inc. (March 1979).
Scott, E.R.D. & Rajan, R.S. (1981) Metallic minerals, thermal histories and parent bodies of some xenolithic, ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 45: 53-67.
Brown, Chandos Michael. (1989): Benjamin Silliman, A Life in the Young Republic. Princton University Press, New Jersey. pp. 221-229.
King, D. T., Jr. and L. W. Petruny. (2008): The Weston Meteorite (1807) - Impact Sites in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Lunar and Planetary Science, vol. 39.
Weisberg, M.K. & 8 others (2009) The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 96, September 2009: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 44 (9): 1355-1397. (Sept 2009).
Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages.
External Links
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php - MeteoriticalBulletinDatabase
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=24249 -Weston@MetBullDatabase
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2163.pdf (King and Petruny)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weston_meteorite
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=24249 -Weston@MetBullDatabase
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2163.pdf (King and Petruny)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weston_meteorite
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Piedmontia DomainDomain
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Weston meteorite, Easton, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA