Monte Bondone Meteorite: Planetary Science Museum Confirms

Monte Bondone meteorite officially classified

The Italian Museum of Planetary Sciences has confirmed the classification of a meteorite fragment recovered on Monte Bondone, near Garniga Vecchia. Studied in collaboration with the School of Science and Technology at the University of Camerino, the sample is an L5 ordinary chondrite weighing approximately 188 grams.

Originally found during a hike in 2021 and submitted to the museum in 2024 for study, the specimen was presented to the press in Garniga Terme on April 10, 2026. The classification received endorsement from the Meteoritical Society’s Nomenclature Committee.

Scientific significance

Chondrites are primitive rocks from the asteroid belt and are fundamental to research on the formation of the Solar System. The Monte Bondone Meteorite enriches the museum’s scientific collection and represents the first officially recognized meteorite find in the Trentino region.

Key facts

• Find location: Garniga Vecchia (Monte Bondone, Trentino)
• Year of discovery: 2021 (found by a hiker)
• Submitted for analysis: 2024
• Classification: L5 ordinary chondrite
• Sample weight: ~188 grams
• Public presentation: April 10, 2026, Garniga Terme

Implications for visitors and researchers

For visitors, the classified specimen enhances the museum’s exhibits and offers a concrete way to connect with the early history of the Solar System. For scientists, an L5 chondrite yields valuable chemical and isotopic information that helps reconstruct early nebular conditions, the formation of solids, and the delivery of water and organic molecules to early planets.

The museum maintains active cooperation with academic partners to continue identification, analysis, and conservation of meteoritic material under rigorous scientific standards.