Gujba - Complete Slice of a Matchless Meteorite . CB - Bencubbinite. Yobe, Nigeria. ...

Description

Gujba - Complete Slice of a Matchless Meteorite
CB - Bencubbinite
Yobe, Nigeria

Gujba, one of the most beautiful and unusual meteorites known, is a bencubbinite, an extremely exotic meteorite subtype. Gujba is also the only witnessed fall of a bencubbinite, an event which occurred on April 3, 1984. This superior complete slice features the large metal and silicate nodules for which Gujba is renowned. It also contains materials that were among the first to have condensed out of the gaseous solar nebula from which our planets formed-the CAIs (Calcium Aluminum Inclusions) seen here are most typically found in carbonaceous meteorites and are the oldest matter mankind can touch. Gujba is scientifically extremely important; in an abstract appearing in Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIII (2002) entitled, Gujba and the Origin of Bencubbin-like (CB) Meteorites, it was written, in part, "The extraordinary characteristics of (CB meteorites) greatly extend the range of known primitive materials." The authors, esteemed scientists from the American Museum of Natural History concluded "The high abundance of completely spherical chondrules and the presence of CAIs in Gujba are characteristics similar to those of other chondrites thought to have formed in the nebula, making impact models less probable. However, the high pressures required for the condensation of siderophile (having an affinity for iron) elements into metal cannot be easily explained by nebular models...." In short, while the mystery of Gujba's origin continues, now offered is an outstanding representation of an artifact which dates to the creation of our solar system and which also happens to be among the most beautiful meteorites known.
Overall Measurements: 3.0 x 2.8 x 0.1 inches (7.7 x 7.2 x 0.2 cm), weighs 44.37 gm (1.56 oz.)

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