| |
Northwest Africa 2019
Northwest Africa
Purchased 2003
Mesosiderite
A mass of 534 g was purchased by P. Thomas in 2003. Classification and mineralogy (M. Bourot-Denise, MNHNP): the silicate portion is diogenitic, about 90% consist of large (400 µm), angular, chemically homogeneous crystals of orthopyroxene (Fs28.4); olivine is absent; augite (Fs13.4 Wo41.9) is rare; plagioclase (An89.8) is present as large patches, homogeneously distributed; silica forms a few patches and merrillite is associated with metal. Fe-Ni metal, forms large, jagged grains; it is mainly kamacite, with minor tetrataenite generally associated with schreibersite; troilite is in small grains. Paired with NWA 1827 and NWA 1879; total mass is estimated to be larger than 60 kg. Weathering grade is W1. Specimens: type specimen 31 g, MNHNP; main mass with buyer. |
|
