AN EXCELLENT COMPACT SLICE OF A MARTIAN METEORITE. ...

Description

AN EXCELLENT COMPACT SLICE OF A MARTIAN METEORITE
DAG 476, Basaltic Shergottite
Dar al Gani, Sahara Desert, Libya
Discovered May 1, 1998
In 1999, the Max Planck Institute in Germany made absolute, incontrovertible scientific determination of the origin of this meteorite. It was one of the very first Martian meteorites identified by the newly developed techniques necessary to absolutely determine the planetary origin of meteorites. It was found by a German team of intrepid meteorite hunters who believed that concerted efforts to search the hot deserts of our planet would yield a large number of new meteorites. They were right! The present specimen is a gorgeous spinach-green thin slice with black olivine phenocrysts interspersed throughout the matrix. This lovely little slice could even be used to make a fantastic and unique piece of jewelry. Measures 16 x 13 x 1.5 mm thick and weighs 1.05 grams.

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