FINE IRON METEORITE SLICE. ...

Description

FINE IRON METEORITE SLICE
NWA 6565 - medium octahedrite
Sahara Desert
From a relatively recently discovered North African meteorite, this is a fine complete slice, with a rim of fusion crust, and etched on one side to expose the marvelous Widmanstätten patterning of hyper-shocked kamacite and taenite interspersed with plessite. Named for Count Alois von Beckh Widmanstätten, curator of the Austrian emperor's cabinet of technological curiosities and director of the Imperial porcelain works in the early 19th century, these patterns are exposed only after slicing, polishing and nitric acid etching, and are unique to the crystalline structure of iron octahedrites. The wonderfully soft criss-crossing patterns are further enlivened by a striking black vein, denoting some massive trauma to the mass in deep space, possibly even the collision and fusion of two separate meteorites. The reverse has simply been polished to a mirror-like metallic sheen, but bears shadowy hints of the patterning, a feature that doubtless prompted Widmanstätten to make his remarkable discovery. An excellent specimen, the meteorite is currently undergoing research and has the provisional name of NWA 6565; it measures approximately 12½ x 8½ x 3/16 inches and weighs 1592 grams (3.5 pounds).

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