Lot 1499
Meteorite Stony With Fusion Crust. Most stony meteorites are small (less than 1 pound) because the larger stony meteorites usually break apart or explode before they contact the earth. This 5.25 x 2.75 inch, 464 gram (over one pound) complete stony is exceptional in its shape, looking somewhat like a Neolithic hand axe and preservation containing more that 95 % of it original fusion crust. It is designated as an unclassified NWA (North West Africa) stony meteorite and was found by nomadic Berbers in the sands of the Sahara desert of Morocco. It is probably an ordinary chondrite which means that it consists of round silicate grains that formed at the very beginning of the solar system 4.55 billion years ago from molten globs of accreted material that stuck together to form the asteroid from which this meteorite was blasted off when two asteroids collided. All stony meteorites contain iron and are designated as either low or high iron. This meteorite looks as though it just landed on earth yesterday with its original virtually complete thin dark brown fusion crust which occurred when the meteorite broke up and ablated at high temperature as it passed through the earth's atmosphere before contacting the ground. Most meteorites quickly become weathered from wind and rain nevertheless, meteorites will retain their fusion crust for hundreds of years if they are buried in a desert. This excellent example of a stony meteorite is presented on a 3.5 inch illusion stand.
Add $15 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $450 - 650.
|
| |
| Realized $1,200 |
