UNCOMMONLY LARGE STONY METEORITE. ...

Description

UNCOMMONLY LARGE STONY METEORITE
NWA - Chondrite
Northern Sahara
One of the most abundant sources of meteorites outside of the Antarctic is the Sahara Desert, where the dry even 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%) and given their profusion many examples from this region remain unclassified. This is just such an example, and a fine one at that: it features a splendidly varied and textured fusion crust with one face almost entirely flat, while other areas are richly dimpled with a concavity of excellent thumbprint-sized regmaglypts. In addition one "corner" has been sliced off and the face polished to provide a view of the interior structure, its attractive patterning reminiscent of agatized dinosaur bone. This fine-sized specimen, among the largest stone meteorite ever offered at public auction, weighs in at around 80 lb and measures approximately 17 x 11 ½ x 9 inches. Presented on a custom metal display stand measuring 23 5/8 inches high overall.

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