.51" Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorite (1.2 g) - NWA 7454

What Is A CV3 Chondrite

A CV3 chondrite meteorite is a specific type of stony chondritic meteorite belonging to the "CV" (Carbonaceous Vigarano) group. CV chondrites are named after the Vigarano meteorite, a famous meteorite that fell in Italy in 1910. The "3" designation in CV3 signifies its petrologic grade, indicating that it has undergone minimal thermal alteration and remains in a relatively pristine state since its formation over 4.5 billion years ago.

CV3 chondrites are rich in carbon and may contain organic compounds and amino acids, hinting at the building blocks of life. They also contain small spherical inclusions called chondrules and refractory inclusions that formed at high temperatures in the early solar nebula. They often have a distinctive, dark matrix with embedded chondrules and metal grains. Some contain white calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), which are among the oldest solid materials in the solar system. CV3 chondrites provide crucial insights into the early solar system. Their relatively unaltered state helps scientists study the solar nebula's conditions and processes, and they’re valuable for understanding pre-solar chemistry.