The 1,300-pound space rock you can touch in Spain: it is 3.75 billion years old
The University of Almería is showcasing a massive meteorite in a free exhibition that also features genuine fragments of Mars and the Moon.
A 1,300-pound space rock that is 3.75 billion years old has become one of the main attractions of the “Impact!!” exhibition, organized by the University of Almería. The meteorite, which arrived on Earth millions of years ago, is on display and can even be touched at the university’s Natural History Pavilion through July 31.
The exhibition features a total of 50 authentic specimens, including meteorites, tektites, and impactites from the collection of meteorite hunter José Vicente Casado, one of Spain’s leading experts in the field. Visitors can also see rare fragments from Mars, pieces of the Moon, and some of the oldest materials ever discovered, dating back approximately 4.55 billion years to the birth of the Solar System.
@diariodealmeria ☄️ Una roca de 600 kilos llegada del espacio ya puede tocarse en la Universidad de Almería 🖼️ El Pabellón de Historia Natural de la UAL se ha convertido en el epicentro de la ciencia cósmica con la inauguración de 'Impacto!!'. La pieza central es un impresionante meteorito de 600 kilos y 3.750 millones de años de antigüedad que los visitantes pueden tocar, algo excepcional en este tipo de muestras en Almería. 🪐 La exposición reúne 50 piezas de la colección de José Vicente Casado, uno de los mayores expertos mundiales. Entre los tesoros expuestos se encuentran fragmentos de Marte, restos lunares y materiales formados hace 4.550 millones de años, incluso antes de que existiera el Sol, ofreciendo una ventana única a la formación del universo desde Almería. 🏛️ Organizada por el CECOUAL, la muestra estará abierta hasta el 31 de julio con acceso gratuito de viernes a domingo (9:30 a 14:00 horas). Durante todo el mes de mayo se realizarán visitas guiadas para explicar fenómenos como las 100 toneladas de material espacial que caen diariamente sobre la Tierra. 🔗 Más información en el link de la bio ✍🏻 Redacción Almería | 📷 D.A. #noticiasalmeria #almeria #ual #ciencia #meteoritos
♬ sonido original - Diario de Almería
Touch a meteorite in Spain for free
According to Casado, some of the samples contain particles that did not even originate in our Sun. Instead, they were formed in stars that existed before our Solar System was born. That makes meteorites invaluable tools for understanding how the universe formed and how Earth evolved over billions of years.
The exhibition is divided into seven themed sections and includes replicas of historical objects made from meteoritic iron, including ancient Egyptian daggers. It also puts into perspective just how much material from space reaches our planet every day. Although roughly 110 tons of cosmic dust and micrometeorites fall to Earth daily, only a small number of larger fragments survive their journey through the atmosphere, and even fewer are recovered for scientific study.
The University of Almería says the exhibition is designed to appeal to astronomy enthusiasts, families, and curious visitors alike. Admission is completely free on weekends, and organizers hope it will become one of Andalusia’s standout science attractions this summer.
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