NEW IRON METEORITE END SECTION - THE MAIN MASS. ...

Description

NEW IRON METEORITE END SECTION - THE MAIN MASS
NWA - IIIAB medium octahedrite
Sahara Desert
One of the most abundant sources of meteorites outside of the Antarctic is the Sahara Desert, where the dry weather has provided the perfect conditions for these rocks from the sky to lie undisturbed and undamaged for thousands of years until they are collected by the nomadic Berbers of the region. Most are chondrites, or stony meteorites; the most abundant type of meteorite found on Earth (comprising approximately 80%), but the specimen here is a much scarcer nickel-iron alloy octahedrite, as immediately apparent from the sliced and etched face. Treatment with nitric acid exposes the incredible Widmanstätten patterns found in these specimens, criss-crossing layers of hyper-shocked kamacite, taenite and plessite, their soft outlines looking almost as though they were patterns applied with brush-strokes - a natural, extra-terrestrial art-work. Even more interesting is the large dark vein crossing one corner of the sliced face, evidence of some massively traumatic shock in outer space, possibly even the collision and fusion of two separate masses. A fine and large specimen, this is the main mass of this particular meteorite; the largest single remaining piece of the original find. Samples of this meteorite are currently undergoing analysis and publication as a newly classified IIIAB iron meteorite. The exterior is covered with a fusion crust of excellent patina and mountainous, contoured texture and it measures approximately 11¼ x 8½ x 3 inches and weighs 9.90 kg (21.80 pounds).

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