Cosmogenic Silicide Spherules (Set of 4). Southern Urals. Russia. ... (Total: 4 Items)

Description

Cosmogenic Silicide Spherules (Set of 4)
Southern Urals
Russia

Cosmogenic Silicide Spherules ("CSS") were formed by the condensation of impact ejecta vapor in space in the Earth's orbit after a catastrophic impact, over 300,000 years ago. Only 7 kilograms of CSS have been recovered worldwide, since 1859, of which only a mere 250 grams are in private hands and not with scientists to study. Not to be confused with micro-meteorites, which they are not, CSS specimens are aerodynamically restricted to size of 10mm in diameter. Evidencing the large-scale catastrophic impact that created them, and with the origin of extraterrestrial and crustal materials vaporized in a hypervelocity asteroid impact, then condensing, it is no surprise that CSS have an unusual isotopic composition and the aerodynamic features of tektites. Melt-flow textures of the surface forming radiating ridges, ring waves and equatorial flanges, many CSS look like "buttons" indicative of the origin of atmospheric entry. A previously unknown family of cosmogenic objects, CSS are impervious to weathering, another differentiating factor compared to meteorites. Comprised of exotic minerals exclusively from space is yet one more difference in this unique material, which comes from the Ala-Tau locality in the Southern Urals. Only 4.8 kilograms have been recovered from the site of which just shy of 4 grams are being offered here for the first time. A British banker, Oleg Radzinsky, privately funded several expeditions to the Ala-Tau range in the Urals two decades ago and for his contribution was gifted 250 grams of CSS samples, in 2013, in appreciation of his support for the silicide research by his longtime friend Sergei Batorvin, who authored the first published study on the unique material. CSS had been featured in Meteoritics and Planetary Science put out by the Meteoritical Society. The CSS may represent the only tangible extraterrestrial mineral samples available on the market, the only artifact of any large-scale catastrophic impact ever available for collectors, and the only known objects formed by condensation in Earth's orbit - making these extremely small but highly significant pieces quite rare and special. A wonderful reference publication on CSS is S. Batovrin et al., 2021, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, vol. 56, issue 7, pp.1369-1405.

With a combined weight of 3.6 grams, this grouping of Cosmogenic Silicide Spherules may not seem like much, but what this quartet represents is quite spectacular and incredibly rare. Such orbital condensate material represents the superheated vapor ejected thousands of miles into space as the result of cosmic impact of catastrophic scale over 300,000 years ago. This grouping contains four unique, finer examples. The first object is a complete spherule, weighing 1.12 grams, with a fusion crust, a granular texture, and impact pits. The second object consists of a shard of an exploded spherule, weighing 0.67 grams, with a partial fusion crust. The third object represents a complete spherule, weighing 0.68 grams, with a fusion crust, U-shaped meandrine groove, contraction cracks, and impact craters. The fourth object consists of a fragment of a larger spherule, weighing 1.22 grams, with ablated anterior surface, contraction cracks, and an internal vesicle exposed by the surface recession. This is effectively one entire superb collection. The individual specimens measure as follows below:
Spherule 1
7.9mm x 7.2mm x 5.8mm
Shard 2
9.7mm x 7.4mm x 5.9 mm
Spherule 3
6.5mm x 5.7mm x 5.9mm
Fragment 4
10.4mm x 7.2mm x 5.5mm
Measurements: 0.30 x 0.28 x 0.26 inches (0.77 x 0.71 x 0.66 cm), weighs 3.59 grams in total

Provenance: Radzinsky Collection



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