Discover more about H. H. Nininger, the history and science of meteorites, and the story behind In Search of Falling Stars. Explore articles, historical material, photographs, news, and other resources related to Nininger’s remarkable life and legacy.
Where It All Began
The November 9, 1923 Fireball
The event that changed everything. On November 9, 1923, H. H. Nininger witnessed a brilliant fireball over McPherson, Kansas—an experience that set him on a lifelong pursuit of meteorites.
Nininger’s Early Adventures
The Nininger Runabout — 1925–26
In 1925, H. H. Nininger took a year away from teaching and set out with his family on a nine-month journey through the American West in a homemade house-car. A photograph of the “Nininger Runabout” appeared in his original autobiography, but the story behind it had been omitted.
Natural History Trek — 1927-28
In 1927, Nininger set out with thirteen students and his family on an extraordinary 36-week, 19,000-mile educational journey across the country. Along the way, he examined major meteorite collections and pursued meteorites himself. While the group was in Arizona, Nininger and student Alex Richards made a side trip to Mexico, where Nininger acquired a 68-pound specimen of the Arispe meteorite.
The Mexico Expedition — 1929
In 1929, H. H. Nininger and student Alex Richards set out for Mexico in a specially built automobile, confronting nearly impassable roads on their way to Mexico City. Their remarkable expedition led to the acquisition of hundreds of pounds of meteorites, including an extraordinary discovery at Xiquipilco.
Harvey Nininger & the Archives
LIFE Magazine — 1937
In 1937, LIFE magazine featured H. H. Nininger and his unusual search for meteorites, bringing his work—and rocks from space—to a national audience.
Painting of Meteor by John Hilton — 1941
Artist John Hilton painted a spectacular meteor in 1941 after witnessing it from a distance of about 150 miles. Nininger later investigated the event and reflected on what such meteorite falls can teach us about the natural world.
Nininger’s Legacy
The Meteorite Effect: H. H. Nininger’s Legacy at ASU
A major portion of H. H. Nininger’s meteorite collection was acquired by Arizona State University in 1960, helping to establish ASU as an important center for meteorite research. More than six decades later, that legacy continues in research into meteorites, asteroids, and the origins of the solar system.