Lot 1681
Martian Mini-Meteorite Complete And Uncut. Meteorites from the planet Mars are so rare that only small fragments are available for sale. These rare meteorites have been identified as being from Mars because of their chemical analysis and age. They are younger than most of the meteorites from the asteroid belt that were formed at the same time as the solar system, 4.5 billion Years Ago. It is now believed that most, if not all, of the Martian meteorites originated from one gigantic meteorite impact that left the more recent Zumba crater in the Daedalia Planum on Mars. In 2011, in the Sahara desert of Morocco, near the river Oued Touflit, a number of small individual meteorites with a total weight of about 8 Kg were found and submitted for analysis. This Martian meteorite (named NWA 6963) was found to be a rare achondrite basaltic (volcanic) Martian Shergotite with abundant maskelynite and shock melt veins, and represents one of the freshest Martian Shergotites found. This specimen is 12 x 9 mm, weighing 0.70 grams and has more than 30 percent of its original dark brown fusion crust from burning in the Earth's atmosphere. The reason that only small individual meteorites were found is because the original larger meteorite broke up high in the Earth's atmosphere and the small pieces continued to burn as they hit the Earth. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a complete meteorite that you can hold in your hand from the planet Mars. Preserved in a 6 x 5 inch Riker mount.
Add $15 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $500 - 700.
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| Realized $324 |
