Imilac

Imilac is the name given to a notable iron meteorite associated with northern Chile, named after the Imilac locality in the Antofagasta Region. It is one of the better documented Chilean meteorites and has circulated widely in museum collections and meteorite research since the late 19th century.

In terms of classification and composition, Imilac is typically placed within the broader IAB meteorite group, a diverse family of iron meteorites. Its metal matrix is largely kamacite with intergrown taenite, and etched sections often reveal the Widmanstätten patterns characteristic of iron meteorites. These features help researchers study the crystallization history and cooling rates of iron meteorites from this region.

The precise fall or discovery date of Imilac is not well established, but its records in scientific literature begin in the 19th century, with multiple fragments attributed to the same meteorite shower. As a well-known Chilean meteorite, Imilac has played a role in both the cataloging of South American meteorites and the broader understanding of iron meteorite diversity. Its specimens have contributed to metallurgical studies and to public and academic knowledge about meteorites from Chile.