introduction
editHoba (also known as Hoba West) is a meteorite that lies on the farm "Hoba West," not far from Grootfontein, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia. It has been uncovered, but because of its large mass has never been moved from where it fell. The main mass is estimated at more than 60 tons, making it the largest known meteorite (as a single piece) and the most massive naturally occurring piece of iron known at the Earth's surface.
discovery
editThe Hoba meteorite discovery was a chance event. The owner of the land,Jacobus Hermanus Brits, encountered the object while ploughing one of his fields with an ox. During this task, he heard a loud metallic scratching sound and the plough came to an abrupt halt. The obstruction was excavated, identified as a meteorite and described byMr. Brits, whose report was published in 1920 and can be viewed at theGrootfontein Museum in Namibia. Friedrich Wilhelm Kegel is the one to took the first photo of Hoba meteorite.
description and dicomposotion
editHoba is metalic object, measuring 2.7 by 2.7 metres (8 feet 9 inches) by 0.9 meters (3 feet). In 1920 its mass was estimated at 66 tons. Erosion, scientific sampling and vandalism have reduced its bulk over the years. The remaining mass is currently estimated at just over 60 tons. The meteorite is composed of about 84% iron and 16% nickel, with traces of cobalt the cutting material of hoba its hardly to find and its very expensive. It is classified as an ataxite iron meteorite belonging to the nickel-rich chemical class IVB.
history
editTo control vandalism and with permission from Mrs. O. Scheel, owner of the farm at the time, the government of Namibia (then South West Africa) on March 15, 1955, declared the Hoba meteorite to be a National Monument.In 1985 Rossing Uranium Ltd. made resources and funds available to the Namibian government to provide additional protection against vandalism. In 1987Mr. J. Engelbrecht, the owner of Hoba West farm, donated the meteorite and the site where it lies to the state for "educational" purposes. Later that year the government opened a tourist centre at the site. As a result of these developments, vandalism of the Hoba meteorite has ceased and it is now visited by thousands of tourists every year.
conclusion
editHoba meteorite is one of the most attractive place for visitor in Namibia, mean it contributing to the GDP of Namibia.Is very attractive to see the nature of God that fall from heaven to earth.Its ametalic object that you cannot cut with anything except using iron nickle.
==refrences==
1.Friedrich_Wilhelm_Kegel retieve from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
3.Grootfontein_Museum_in_Namibia&action=edit&redlink retrieve from:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.
4.Otjozondjupa_Region_of_Namibia&action=edit&redlink retrieve from:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.
5.Hoba meteorite retrieve from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoba_meteorite