RARE CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITE METEORITE - THE OLDEST KNOWN MATTER. ...

Description

RARE CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITE METEORITE - THE OLDEST KNOWN MATTER
NWA 3118
CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite
Sahara Desert, Discovered 2003
Carbonaceous Chondrites are very rare by virtue of the fact that they seem to sample the original Solar Nebula at a very early stage of our Solar System and their elemental composition closely approximates that of the Sun. In addition, the CV3's contain CAI's or Calcium Aluminum Inclusions which are the very large cream to white, cloud-like structures present in large numbers in this exceptional specimen. CAI's formed just after the explosion of the supernova responsible for the gravity collapse which started the formation of our Solar System. These CAI's were the first matter to condense after the nova out of our solar nebula and were later incorporated into the accretion masses that condensed out of the proto-planetary disc which formed around the Sun. These particles existed before the formation of our Solar System and thus, they are the oldest matter known in any meteorite! Probable ages of around 4.571 billion years plus are associated with CAI's. In addition to the numerous CAI's in this specimen, there are huge numbers of very densely packed and nearly perfectly formed chondrules, attesting to this meteorite's nearly pristine unchanged condition since the creation of our Solar System. The chondrules run the gamut of colors from violet-blue to gray to orange, to olive green to brown to reddish yellow oxide, with some having blue centers with different colored rims. Some of the CAI's are huge, measuring up to 13 mm across. An incredible, gorgeous and scientifically important specimen measuring 118 x 98 mm (4.6 x 3.8 inches) and weighing 199 grams. This end piece is the largest known specimen by surface area of this rare meteorite.

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