.42" Chondrite Meteorite (0.9 g) Section - Argentina

This is a .42" wide (0.9 gram) section of the unclassified chondrite known as Cerro Cuadrado, found in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Little is known about this meteorite, but this piece has a great double-sided polish showing off metallic chondrules in a light grayish matrix. An unusual and handsome piece!

This specimen comes with an acrylic display case.

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.

SOLD
DETAILS
TYPE
Unclassified Chondrite
LOCATION
Patagonia, Argentina
SIZE
.42 x .32 x .22", 0.9 grams
CATEGORY
ITEM
#265966