Park Forest

Cook County, Illinois, USA

Fell 2003 March 26, approx. 23:50 hrs local time

Ordinary chondrite (L5)

A bright fireball was seen by numerous observers in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio around midnight of March 26, 2003. Numerous stones fell, mostly concentrated in the area of the village of Park Forest. At least two houses in Park Forest were struck, as was the Fire Station. Dozens of other stones or fragments of stones were recovered in the area in the hours and days following the fall. Total mass recovered is more than 18 kg, largest stone ~3 kg in possession of finder. Description and classification (S. Simon, UChi; M. Wadhwa, FMNH; P. Sipiera, PSF): Most stones are partly to fully fusion-crusted. Some broken faces show brecciated texture, angular clasts. Cross-cutting dark veins and dark pockets may be of impact melt origin. No visible chondrules in hand sample. Abundant troilite and metal visible in some broken faces. Chondrules and maskelynite are visible in thin section. Mean olivine composition Fa_24.7, mean low-Ca pyroxene Fs_20.7Wo_1.6. Shock stage S5. Specimens: type specimen 515 g (hit fire station), FMNH. Other stones at FMNH: 1200 g, 529 g, 183 g, 159 g, 125 g.