Experimentelle und Analytische Planetologie
Characterization of all known meteorites from Botswana
In 1999 the first meteorites from Botswana were recovered. Most samples (seven) were purchased from natives in
the small village of Kuke. It is suggested that these samples were found close to Kuke in the Kalahari desert. The
other four samples were recovered during geological field work in various areas of Botswana. Two of these samples
were found close to Kuke (Kalahari 008 and Kalahari 009) and are chemically and petrographically different lunar
rocks. However, it is suggested that both samples represent distinct lithologies of one meteoroid and that the Lunar
sample broke apart at the find site. The other nine samples are H-group ordinary chondrites. Based on different
petrologic types, degrees of shock metamorphism and weathering pairing of most samples can be ruled out. It is
suggested that only Kalahari 004 and Kalahari 005 are paired.
