Tahoka Meteorite – Remarkable Chondrite from Texas

The Tahoka meteorite is an ordinary chondrite (L5) found in 1994 on a farm near Tahoka, Texas, USA. It was discovered by W. G. Gandy while hoeing weeds in a cotton field. The meteorite remained in a garden until 2000, when Texas Tech University confirmed its extraterrestrial origin. Interestingly, it was even used as a doorstop before being recognized for its scientific significance.

This dense stone meteorite consists of glass-free, equilibrated chondrules embedded in a recrystallized matrix containing kamacite, taenite, chromite, sodic plagioclase, ilmenite, and chlorapatite.

Chemical analysis confirms the presence of olivine (Fa25.6), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs21.8Wo1.5), and augite (Fs11.6Wo41.7). As an L5 chondrite, Tahoka has undergone significant thermal metamorphism while still preserving visible chondrules.

With its unique discovery story and well-preserved structure, Tahoka is both a scientifically important specimen and a valuable collector’s piece.