Odessa Meteor Crater May 29

Even though I have visited this site several times it was on my bucket list for this Midland apparition.

The first time was after reading about the area in a Texas Highways magazine way back in the late 70's. I had been to visit my parents who were residing in Midkiff where my dad was managing the coop gin. We made a detour through the area on the drive back to Lovington NM. The road was unmarked and unpaved and my family thought I had really lost it this time around.  They were not impressed.

After moving to Midland in 1984, I had the opportunity to check out the site and was appalled that the little building erected on the property had been vandalized extensively.

On a return trip from the Big Bend and Ft Davis area in the late 90's we stopped by the site on a day the visitor center was closed.

So, on Thursday afternoon, despite high 90 degree temps, I convinced Alvin to accompany me.

Hard to believe this is the second largest meteor crater in the US, only the more famous site in Arizona is larger. The crater is 500 feet wide and was originally 100 feet deep, having been filled in by blowing sand over the past 20,000 years. (Some sources give the date as 62,000 years ago. )A second crater just adjacent is about 20 feet wide. The entire area is believed to have been struck by a meteor shower and numerous pieces have been recovered in the area. 

A family trip to Atlanta, GA, in 1984 included a visit to Fernbank Museum where a large meteor labeled Odessa, TX was on display. 

This chunk is at the museum at the crater. Also in display were meteors from numerous locations across Texas. 

 Despite the sweltering temps I walked the short trail into the crater bed passing the site where the 165 foot shaft was drilled by the University of Texas team in the 1940's.

I encourage everyone to visit the site and enjoy the spectacle and not to compare this area to Meteor Crater in Arizona, which I visited on a 1988 trip to Grand Canyon, whether you're an astronomy nerd or not.