DaG 978 C3-ung

Dar al Gani 978 resembles CR chondrites in that it has relatively large chondrules which contain blebs of metal. Certain elemental abundances resemble those of CM–CO chondrites and others are similar to the CV–CM–CO range. O-isotope data are similar to CO and CV chondrites. DaG 978 is a type-3 ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite.

Large, irregular chondrule. Metal appears black in this and the next photo. DaG 978 C3-ung. Thin section in incident light.

DaG 978 C3-ung. Thin section in cross-polarized light.

DaG 978 C3-ung. Thin section in cross-polarized light.

This is the same field as the previous picture. The largest chondrule is 1.7 mm in diameter. It has flecks of metal in one of its outer layers and blebs of metal in its interior. DaG 978 C3-ung. Thin section in incident light.

DaG 978 C3-ung. Thin section in cross-polarized light.

This is the same field as the previous picture. These two photos depict a large, somewhat irregular chondrule with multiple layers. Some layers are mainly metal. The metal has stained nearby silicates. DaG 978 C3-ung. Thin section in incident light.

In the hand a slice of DaG 978 is distinctive. The fine gray matrix is friable and tends to slough off during slicing leaving the large metal-rich chondrules standing proud of the matrix.

DaG 1040 looks the same as DaG 978. The Meteoritical Bulletin database gives the find location of the 15 pieces of DaG 1040 about 900 feet from that of the single piece of DaG 978. DaG 1040 is classified as CV3. This slice is 55 mm wide.

John Kashuba

John is a natural history enthusiast living in Oregon.