2.67" Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorite (12.38 g) Slice - NWA 16976

This is a 2.67" wide (12.38 gram) slice of the NWA 16976 meteorite which is classified as a CK6 carbonaceous chondrite.

About NWA 16976

NWA 16976 is a carbonaceous chondrite (CK6) that was discovered in Northwest Africa in 2016, and later that year purchased from Saeed Haddany, a Moroccan meteorite dealer. The find had a total mass of 425 grams. The meteorite features a very dark colored, sandblasted exterior. Cut surfaces reveal scattered chondrules set in a very dark colored groundmass.

Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for the NWA 16976 Meteorite

About CK-Group Chondrites

CK group chondrites are a rare class of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, known for their high abundance of silicate minerals and a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from other carbonaceous chondrites. They are named after the Karoonda meteorite that fell in Australia in 1930, which became the type specimen for the group.

CK chondrites are typically classified as oxidized meteorites, meaning they have undergone extensive oxidation processes. They contain a high proportion of refractory minerals—minerals that are stable at high temperatures—such as olivine and pyroxene, which are embedded within a fine-grained, dark matrix. The silicates within CK chondrites are generally more iron-rich and less magnesium-rich than those found in other meteorite groups, which is consistent with their oxidized nature.

A striking feature of CK chondrites is their high content of chondrules, which are small, spherical grains that formed as molten droplets in the early solar nebula. The chondrules in CK chondrites are often altered, with some showing evidence of secondary heating and alteration. This is thought to be due to the meteorite's history of thermal metamorphism, likely caused by impact events or heating within their parent asteroid.

CK chondrites also contain a small but important amount of organic compounds and presolar grains, including tiny particles that formed in ancient stars before the solar system existed. This makes CK chondrites valuable for studies on the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of organic molecules and even prebiotic chemistry.

FOR SALE
$195
DETAILS
TYPE
Carbonaceous Chondrite (CK6)
LOCATION
Northwest Africa
SIZE
Size: 2.67 x 1.56", 0.08" thick, Weight: 12.38 grams
ITEM
#308378