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3.2" Polished Mesosiderite Meteorite Slice (74.3 g) - NWA 4576
This is a 3.2" wide (74.3 gram) mesosiderite meteorite slab from NWA 4576. This piece has been cut flat and polished to a glossy finish on one side, revealing the spectacular inner metallic inclusions.
NWA 4576 is a mesosiderite meteorite that was discovered in January of 2005 in Northwest Africa. The total mass of this meteor was greater than 30 kgs.
About Mesosiderites
Mesosiderites are a rare kind of stony-iron meteorite: only 208 are known, and over a quarter of them have been found in Antarctica. Only 7 mesosidertite falls have ever been witnessed, and what meteorites are found tend to be large masses.
They are characterized by an almost even proportion of metallic nickel-iron and silicates, and often have irregular, brecciated textures. They contain many compositional similarities to diogenites and eucrites from 4 Vesta. Some scientists believe they are sourced from the smaller asteroid 16 Psyche.
Perhaps the most well-known mesosiderite is the Vaca Muerta fall in Chile, which has produced well over 3 metric tons of material since its recognition as a meteorite in the 19th century. Other well-known mesosiderites include the Estherville meteorite, which fell in Iowa in 1879; the Lowicz fall in Poland in 1935; and the famous Chinguetti meteorite out of Mauritania.
Mesosiderites are a rare kind of stony-iron meteorite: only 208 are known, and over a quarter of them have been found in Antarctica. Only 7 mesosidertite falls have ever been witnessed, and what meteorites are found tend to be large masses.
They are characterized by an almost even proportion of metallic nickel-iron and silicates, and often have irregular, brecciated textures. They contain many compositional similarities to diogenites and eucrites from 4 Vesta. Some scientists believe they are sourced from the smaller asteroid 16 Psyche.
Perhaps the most well-known mesosiderite is the Vaca Muerta fall in Chile, which has produced well over 3 metric tons of material since its recognition as a meteorite in the 19th century. Other well-known mesosiderites include the Estherville meteorite, which fell in Iowa in 1879; the Lowicz fall in Poland in 1935; and the famous Chinguetti meteorite out of Mauritania.
TYPE
Mesosiderite
AGE
LOCATION
Northwest Africa
SIZE
3.2 x 2.35", .2" thick, 74.3 grams
CATEGORY
ITEM
#286220
