Column: Micro Visions

Metal-troilite Intergrowths

January 1, 2012

Metal-troilite Intergrowths

Sometimes melt rock in meteorites contains blebs of metal-troiliteA common mineral found in all types of meteorites. Troilite is chemically FeS and is related to Pyrrhotite which is found on Earth. It is bronze in color and only 4.6 in hardness. Dis-solvable in a nitric acid solution it will stain the surface of iron meteorites [...]

Column: Micro Visions

Moorabie L3.8-an

December 1, 2011

Moorabie L3.8-an

A few of us were talking meteorites when one friend mentioned Moorabie. When I couldn’t recall the stone I was admonished to refresh my memory as soon as possible. I make amends with this column. Even before checking my small collection I consulted David Weir’s Moorabie page to see what the score was. He lays [...]

Column: Micro Visions

Vugs and Vacuoles in D’Orbigny Meteorite

November 1, 2011

Vugs and Vacuoles in D’Orbigny Meteorite

D’Orbigny The D’Orbigny angriteAn achondrite meteorite type characterized by calcium-titanium-aluminum rich pyroxene abundance. is famous for a lot of things. Among them are holes – vugs and vacuoles. The irregular vugs are usually filled with a tangle of well formed dark augite crystals. The vacuoles or vesicles are spherical. Most are empty. Some contain glass. [...]

Column: Micro Visions

Seeing Processing in a CV3

October 1, 2011

Seeing Processing in a CV3

Not all CV3 carbonaceousA family of chondritic meteorites that contain several percent carbon by weight and are among the most primitive of meteorites. chondrites are alike. More than most, NWA 6207 makes it easy for us to see that its components went through a succession of processes before they were delivered to us. Existing large [...]

Column: Micro Visions

September 1, 2011

Isheyevo

Right now Isheyevo is being called a CH/CBb and might not even be a chondrite in the usual sense of the term. It is a complex mix of components from different sources. For example, there are two distinct populations of CAIs. There are two sets of chondrule textures corresponding to two blended lithologies. And the [...]

Tags: Isheyevo

Column: Micro Visions

Begaa NWA 4910 LL3.1: Now This is a Chondrite!

August 1, 2011

Begaa NWA 4910 LL3.1: Now This is a Chondrite!

For a long time Begaa had no official name and several stated classifications. Now Begaa is a synonym for NWA 4910 LL3.1. Whether this change is welcome, a comedown or something else is a matter of opinion. But we can agree that it is one fine meteorite. It’s a rock you can show any novice [...]

Tags: Begaa

Column: Micro Visions

The NWA 1109 Meteorite – Polymict or Something

July 1, 2011

The NWA 1109 Meteorite – Polymict or Something

The Meteoritical Bulletin database lists NWA 1109 as a polymict eucriteA class of achondrite meteorites that is similar in composition to basalt lavas found on Earth. – at least a 2.54 kilogram portion of the find was classified that way. I know that in 2002 and 2003 some material was sold as NWA 1109 howarditeA [...]

Tags: NWA 1109

Column: Micro Visions

NWA 6704 – A New Ungrouped Achondrite

June 1, 2011

NWA 6704 – A New Ungrouped Achondrite

Greg Hupé tells about his new ungrouped achondriteMeteorites formed from an igneous source rock and lacking chondrules, group includes lunar and planetary meteorites. in this issue of Meteorite-Times so this is a good time to show close up pictures of it. Dr. Tony Irving did the classification and we learned about this stone from his [...]

Tags: NWA 6704

Column: Micro Visions

May 1, 2011

NWA 5426 R4

NWA 5426 is a Rumuruti type chondrite. Most R chondrites show brecciation, though Rumuruti itself does not. They have a somewhat high ratio of matrixThe material of a meteorite that fills the spaces between chondrulesSmall round and oval structures of crystal grains found in most chondrite type meteorites. and inclusions. It is made of much [...]

Tags: NWA 5426

Column: Micro Visions

Talbachat n’aït Isfoul Meteorite

April 1, 2011

Talbachat n’aït Isfoul Meteorite

Talbachat n’aït Isfoul is an eight kilogram meteorite found in Morocco twelve years ago this month. The Meteoritical Bulletin database lists it as an LL3. You’ll see it called an LL3.7, too. Sometimes it’s called Tagounite 019. As expected with those classifications it has largish, well preserved chondrulesSmall round and oval structures of crystal grains [...]

Tags: Talbachat n'aït Isfoul

Column: Micro Visions

Thinner Thin Sections

March 1, 2011

Thinner Thin Sections

The canonical thickness for thin sections is 0.03mm. Professionals depend on it. Collectors insist on it. Still, if we have to rely on a conventional light microscope there are some times when thinner sections show more features. The dark, fine grained matrixThe material of a meteorite that fills the spaces between chondrulesSmall round and oval [...]

Tags: NWA 4781, Tagish Lake, Thin Sections

Column: Micro Visions

February 1, 2011

Relict Grains

ChondrulesSmall round and oval structures of crystal grains found in most chondrite type meteorites. were molten droplets. What caused the melting is hotly debated (har). Chondrule textures reflect the extent of melting and rates of cooling. Porphyritic chondrulesSmall round and oval structures of crystal grains found in most chondrite type meteorites. did not fully melt. [...]

Tags: Relict Grains

Column: Micro Visions

January 1, 2011

DaG 1040

Dar al Gani 1040 is an odd CV3. It has a light colored matrixThe material of a meteorite that fills the spaces between chondrulesSmall round and oval structures of crystal grains found in most chondrite type meteorites. and inclusions. It is made of much smaller mineral particles than the chondrulesSmall round and oval structures of [...]

Tags: DaG 1040

Column: Micro Visions

Vaca Muerta Olivine

December 1, 2010

Vaca Muerta Olivine

Steve Arnold looked like he was passing appetizers. He was circulating with a tray of gem jars in Tucson. Each one held a cm size morsel of Vaca Muerta olivineA magnesium-iron silicate mineral commonly found in meteorites. It occurs as microscopic crystal grains in chondrites and as large often well formed crystals in pallasites.. Mesosiderites [...]

Tags: Vaca Muerta

Column: Micro Visions

November 1, 2010

NWA 4657 CK4

I don’t think CK meteorites are much to look at except those rare slices with huge, gnarly CAICalcium-Aluminum Inclusions are very evident light colored inclusion commonly found in carbonaceousA family of chondritic meteorites that contain several percent carbon by weight and are among the most primitive of meteorites. chondrites. They are often irregular in shape.. [...]

Tags: NWA 4657 CK4

Column: Micro Visions

Latest Meteorite Dealer Listings

Moldavite Jewelry
All of our Moldavite Jewelry is handmade with beautiful specimens of moldavite tektite. Each moldavite pendant is unique and
NWA 4502 (CV3-4)
Carbonaceous chondrites are the most primitive meteorites, and CV chondrites illustrate the history of our solar system bette
Sikhote-Alin Meteorite
Please visit our Sikhote-Alin Meteorites For Sale page to see our specimens for sale. Sikhote-Alin meteorites have thum
Silkhote-Alin Meteorite Shrapnel
We have a nice supply of Sikhote-Alin Shrapnel For Sale. These pieces of torn and twisted nickel-iron metal were ripped apart
NWA 869 Meteorite
We have NWA 869 Meteorites in slices and end pieces. It is a brecciated stone with clasts of many different types incorporate

Latest Meteorite Classifieds

NWA 4502 (CV3-4)
Carbonaceous chondrites are the most primitive meteorites, and CV chondrites illustrate the history of our solar system bette
Meteorite Library
Meteorite Library. I like to think one of the better collections in the US, accumulated over a period of 20 years, starting i
Richfield (LL3.7)
Richfield (LL3.7) 13.4g Partial Slice — Richfield is arguably the most beautiful LL chondrite known, however there is very li
NWA 2977 (Lunar Gabbro)
NWA 2977 (Lunar Gabbro) 0.8g Partial Slice — Laboratory analysis determined this space rock is an olivine-rich cumulate Gabbr
NWA 4664 (Diogenite)
NWA 4664 (Diogenite) 4.4g Partial Slice — NWA 4664 is thought to be a sample of mantle material from the asteroid 4 Vesta. Ho