This was my first meteorite-hunting expedition. The expedition in search of the Muonionalusta meteorite, led by the experienced geologist and meteorite expert V. N. Stepakov, took place at the end of May 2010 and lasted ten days. There were four participants, two of whom came from Germany especially for this. During this time, through joint efforts, we found three specimens with a total weight of 40 kg. The average depth of the specimens was about one metre.
Lately, many geologists and amateurs from different countries have worked around the strewn field. The local people cannot look at this indifferently and take an active part in the search for fragments of this event of cosmic scale.
Considering that the search zone stretches for 75 km, our find, to tell the truth, can be considered one of the most modest. The main masses had been found before us. For example, one specimen weighed 1,800 kg; it was recovered by a Russian team a couple of years earlier.
The search took place in cross-country conditions in the tundra near the Arctic Circle. We were lucky with the weather, and the insects had not woken up yet, so they did not disturb our rest. Reindeer looked at us indifferently and walked away.
Coordinates of the Muonionalusta strewn field: 67°48′N 23°06′E.
