Lot 1675
Large Stony Meteorite. Most stony meteorites are small because the larger stony meteorites usually break apart or explode before they contact the earth. This large 5X3.25X2 inch 3.25 pound complete stony is one of the exceptions. It is designated as an unclassified NWA meteorite meaning that it was found by Berbers in the Sahara desert of Morocco and has not been sent into the meteorite institute for classification. It probably is 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 millions of years ago. All stony meteorites contain iron and are designated as either low or high iron and are quite heavy for their size. This meteorite is completely original just as found in the desert with nearly complete dark brown fusion crust on the bottom side that was buried in sand. The top part of the meteorite that was exposed to the elements has most of the fusion crust intact with just slight weathering. Fusion crust is the thin dark brown layer that forms from the high heat when the meteorite passes through the earth's atmosphere. This museum quality stony meteorite is one of the top 2% of recovered meteorites and comes with a plastic stand for display.
Add $20 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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