description Bendego Overview
The Bendego meteorite is a large iron meteorite discovered in 1784 near Monte Santo in Bahia, Brazil. Its main mass weighs about 5.36 metric tonnes and was transported to the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro in the late 19th century after an earlier removal attempt failed. It became a prominent object in the museum's collection and survived the institution's destructive 2018 fire because its metallic composition resisted combustion.
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How big is the Bendego meteorite?
The Bendego meteorite is a massive iron meteorite with its main mass weighing approximately 5.36 metric tonnes. It is currently recognized as the largest meteorite ever discovered in Brazil.
Where is the Bendego meteorite currently located?
It was transported to the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in the late 19th century. Tragically, the massive iron mass was inside the museum during the devastating 2018 fire, though the meteorite itself survived the blaze.
When and where was the Bendego meteorite originally found?
The meteorite was originally discovered in 1784 in the interior of Bahia, Brazil. It was specifically found near the present-day municipality of Monte Santo.
What type of meteorite is the Bendego?
Bendego is classified as an iron meteorite, meaning it is composed largely of a metallic alloy. This incredibly dense composition is exactly what allowed the massive rock to survive both centuries in the ground and the intense heat of the museum fire.
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