What And Where
Recovered during construction near Cincinnati in Hamilton County in 1870 this iron meteorite was documented in early museum catalogues and later transferred to institutional collections. Historical records note a single mass recovered from a shallow excavation and subsequent distribution of fragments to museums.
Date And Mass of Cincinnati Meteorite
Documented recovery date 1870 with reported mass between 1 and 2 kg. Early catalogues list the specimen as an iron meteorite and note its presence in northeastern United States collections.
Class And Mineralogy of Cincinnati Meteorite
Classified historically as an iron meteorite containing kamacite taenite and accessory phases such as schreibersite and troilite. Iron meteorites preserve Widmanstatten structure when cut polished and acid etched which records slow cooling in a parent body core.
Scientific Significance of Cincinnati Meteorite
Historic finds like this provide insight into nineteenth century collecting practices and the distribution of meteorite material to museums. Modern reanalysis using electron microprobe and trace element mass spectrometry can refine chemical group assignment and cooling history.