2.9" Chondrite Meteorite (50.9 g) - NWA 15580

This is a 2.9" wide (50.9 gram) slice of the NWA 15580 melt-breccia chondrite, found in Algeria in 2023. This slice has been expertly polished on one side, revealing its stunning interior features. This is most likely formed when two asteroids smashed into one another. This slice shows off lovely gray and reddish clasts sets in a dark matrix, and shows numerous shock veins throughout. An unusual and stunning piece! This comes with an acrylic display stand.

About Chondrites

Chondrites are stony (non-metallic) meteorites that have not been modified by either melting or differentiation of the parent body. They are formed when various types of dust and small grains in the early Solar System accreted to form primitive asteroids. Some such bodies are captured in the planet’s gravity well and pulled to the surface. They are by far the most common type of meteorite, representing about 86 percent of all meteorites that have fallen to Earth.

Prominent among the components present in chondrites are the enigmatic chondrules, millimeter-sized spherical objects that originated as freely floating, molten or partially molten droplets in space; most chondrules are rich in the silicate minerals olivine and pyroxene. Chondrites also contain particles of various metals such as nickel, iron, and aluminum. These formed at the very beginning of the solar system and aggregated over time: they are the oldest rocks known on Earth!

Chondrites are divided into about fifteen distinct groups on the basis of their mineralogy, bulk chemical composition, and oxygen isotope compositions. The various chondrite groups likely originated on separate asteroids or groups of related asteroids. Each chondrite group has a distinctive mixture of chondrules, refractory inclusions, matrix (dust), characteristic chondrule sizes, and other components. Other ways of classifying chondrites include weathering and shock. The L chondrite group is the most common of these.

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DETAILS
TYPE
L Melt Breccia
LOCATION
Algeria
SIZE
2.9 x 2.75 x 0.1", 50.9 grams
CATEGORY
ITEM
#266664