A 200 metric ton rock from space streaked across the skies of western Canada on January 18, 2000. It was very long-lasting and unusual. We estimate that this object was about 7 meters across and 200 to 250 metric tons. The first fragments of the object were discovered in January by a local resident near the spot where the meteorite hit. This is very important.
Carbonaceous chondrites are the most pristine, organically-rich meteorites known.
This is the first time a meteorite has fallen in a cold arctic area and been quickly recovered. It shows the expanding smoke train of the Yukon meteor over a 14-minute period. The first frame shows a smoky red vapor trail just 1 minute and 30 seconds after the initial flash. We were out on the lake on April 20 when we came across a hole in the snow with dark material at the bottom. We spent days harvesting and came out with over 400 fragments.