Lotto 4021* - A211 Out of This World - martedì, 03. dicembre 2024, 17h00
BIG SLICE OF A MOON METEORITE
NWA 15583
Northwest Africa, Algeria
Found in 2022
239.5 g
19.5 × 14 cm (measurements not including stand)
Northwest Africa, Algeria
Found in 2022
239.5 g
19.5 × 14 cm (measurements not including stand)
The start of this lunar meteorite’s journey to Earth was likely the result of a massive meteor strike on the moon’s surface, creating one of the craters we see on the moon today. Ejected from the surface of the moon by this initial strike, it was left to float freely in space. Eventually, this mass intersected with Earth's own orbit, and its surface was heated to 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit on entry, then rapidly cooled in the frigid temperatures of Earth's upper atmosphere, and gradually slowed to approximately 200 miles per hour on its final descent. It was found in Algeria in 2022.
The beautifully polished surface of this meteorite reveals a brecciated interior, indicating that it is composed mainly of rare lunar regolith clasts, which come from the outer layer of the moon’s surface. The plentiful flecks of iron in the breccia are most likely remnants from previous iron meteorite impacts on the moon. These are embedded in a partially melted matrix, which forms when the fissured lunar surface, consisting of a wide variety of particles, melts together to form a new rock due to the heat or pressure of a meteorite impact.
This slice was cut from the main mass of the meteorite and comes mounted on an elegant metal stand.
For more information about the moon and its meteorites, see also Lot 4039.
The beautifully polished surface of this meteorite reveals a brecciated interior, indicating that it is composed mainly of rare lunar regolith clasts, which come from the outer layer of the moon’s surface. The plentiful flecks of iron in the breccia are most likely remnants from previous iron meteorite impacts on the moon. These are embedded in a partially melted matrix, which forms when the fissured lunar surface, consisting of a wide variety of particles, melts together to form a new rock due to the heat or pressure of a meteorite impact.
This slice was cut from the main mass of the meteorite and comes mounted on an elegant metal stand.
For more information about the moon and its meteorites, see also Lot 4039.
CHF 6 000 / 8 000 | (€ 6 190 / 8 250)