Meteor Crater and Barringer Space Museum

Meteor Crater, also known as Barringer Crater, is a famous geological feature located in northern Arizona, USA. It is one of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth and was formed about 50,000 years ago when a meteorite struck the Earth’s surface. The impact created a crater that is about 3,937 feet in diameter, with a depth of around 570 feet. The meteorite that caused the crater was estimated to be about 164 feet in diameter and traveling at a speed of about 28,600 miles per hour when it collided with the Earth.

The Meteor Crater is a popular tourist attraction and scientific research site. Visitors can explore the rim of the crater, which offers stunning views of the impact site and the surrounding desert landscape. There is also a visitor center near the rim that provides information about the crater’s formation, its history, and its significance in the study of impact craters and planetary science. The visitor center features interactive exhibits, a theater, and a gift shop. There gift shop is bigger then more other we have been in and full stocked.

The Barringer Space Museum, also known as the Meteor Crater Visitor Center, is an educational facility associated with Meteor Crater. It is named after Daniel Barringer, a businessman who was instrumental in confirming the impact origin of the crater in the early 20th century. The museum offers a variety of exhibits and displays related to meteorites, impact cratering, space exploration, and the history of the crater’s scientific investigation.

Visitors to the Barringer Space Museum can learn about the Earth’s geological history, the processes involved in impact crater formation, and the role of impact events in shaping planetary surfaces. The museum also provides insights into the study of meteorites, showcasing various meteorite specimens and explaining their importance in understanding the early solar system.

Overall, Meteor Crater and the Barringer Space Museum are fascinating destinations for anyone interested in geology, astronomy, and the history of our planet’s interactions with celestial objects. They offer a unique opportunity to explore a well-preserved impact crater and gain insights into the forces that have shaped our planet and the solar system.