Winner Meteorite – Rare L3.9 Chondrite from South Dakota - Description language - German

The Winner meteorite is a rare ordinary chondrite (L3.9) found in Tripp County, South Dakota, USA, in August 2004. It was discovered by Chris Novotney, who noticed a rusty rock while unhooking his hay rake. Years later, the rock was identified as a meteorite and sold to KD Meteorites in 2013.

This single-stone find has a dark weathered fusion crust with signs of oxidation. A saw-cut reveals numerous chondrules and inclusions of varying sizes and colors, including white, green, and gray clasts, some reaching several millimeters in diameter. The structure contains medium-grained metal and sulfides distributed throughout.

Winner is classified as an L3.9 chondrite, meaning it contains well-preserved chondrules that provide valuable insight into early solar system formation. Chemical analyses have confirmed the presence of olivine (Fa26.0), orthopyroxene (Fs21.7Wo1.4), clinopyroxene (Fs10.1Wo44.3), along with kamacite, taenite, troilite, and chromite.

This meteorite is both a scientifically significant specimen and a stunning collectible, showcasing the beauty of chondritic meteorites.