In 1903 Mr. Barringer formed the Standard Iron Company and bought the two square miles containing the crater to prove his two theories. In the next 26 years, Barringer did prove that the crater was formed by a meteorite impacting the earth, but never did find the meteorite. Scientists now conjecture that the meteorite underwent total

The crater is still privately owned by the Barringer family but has since been used by NASA as one of the official training sites for the Apollo Astronauts, and been designated as a Natural Landmark by the U.S. Government. The land is currently being leased to Meteor Crater Enterprises, who operates the Visitors Center, Museum of Astrogeology, Museum on the Rim and an Astronaut Hall of Fame.

For additional information about Meteor Crater, visit their website at www.meteorcrater.com.

Photo provided courtesy Meteor Crater Enterprises