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NWA 10540 HED Achondrite Monomicit Gabbroic Eucrite Meteorite 95 gram Main Mass

This product data sheet is originally written in English.

NWA 10540

HED Achondrite Monomicit Gabbroic Eucrite Meteorite

95 gram Main Mass

NWA 10540 is a fresh HED meteorite with important attributes.

The attributes of this meteorite teach us essential plutonic conditions under which magma crystallizes on the largest known asteroids in outer space. NWA 10540 was classified by the prominent team of scientist led by Anthony J. Irving Ph. D. at the University of Washington, Seattle. The research performed at the Earth and Space Sciences micro-probe laboratory determined this meteorite to be a rare monomict gabbroic eucrite breccia meteorite. This remarkable classification records important historical data of the largest Vesta and Ceres type asteroids residing within our solar system. This meteorite formed as a plutonic igneous rock that crystallized from magma underground at some depth. The depth and slow steady rate of cooling allowed for large crystal growth giving this meteorite the Gabbroic designation. The silica poly morph is most likely in the form of quartz or tridymite because of the temperatures associated with large crystal formation. Distinctly this meteorite has large dark color augite crystals that were originally homogeneous pigeonite pyroxene , some even reflecting a captivating prismatic iridescent light. This interesting breccia evidently experienced no melting only grinding up by impacts before it was ejected from the asteroid.

CLASSIFICATION DATA SOURCE:

The Meteoritical Society

International Society for Meteoritics and Planetary Science

Lunar and Planetary Institute

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

Northwest Africa 10540

Basic information

Name: Northwest Africa 10540

This is an OFFICIAL meteorite name.

Abbreviation: NWA 10540

Observed fall: No
Year found: 2015
Country: (Northwest Africa)
Mass:122.7 g

Classification

history:

Recommended:

Eucrite-mmict

This is 1 of 172 approved meteorites classified as Eucrite-mmict.

Search for other: Achondrites, Eucrites, and HED achondrites

Comments:

Approved 27 Feb 2016

Writeup

Writeup from MB 105:

Northwest Africa 10540 (NWA 10540)

(Northwest Africa)

Purchased: 2015 Oct

Classification: HED achondrite (Eucrite, monomict)

History: Purchased by John Higgins in October 2015 from a dealer in Laayoune, Morocco.

Petrography: (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS) Fragmental breccia composed of larger mineral grains (up to 2.2 mm across) within a finer matrix of the same minerals. The main components are finely exsolved pigeonite and calcic plagioclase with accessory silica polymorph, ilmenite, Ti-free chromite and troilite. Some composite grains with pyroxene and plagioclase in contact are present.

Geochemistry: Host orthopyroxene (Fs_46.8-48.3Wo_3.4-1.5, FeO/MnO = 31-32, N = 3), clinopyroxene exsolution lamellae (Fs_17.3-19.1Wo_45.3-44.6, FeO/MnO = 28, N = 3).

Classification: Eucrite (monomict gabbroic breccia).

Specimens: 26 g including one polished thin section at UWB; remaining material with Mr. J. Higgins.

Data from:

MB105

Table 0

Line 0:

Place of purchase:	Laayoune
Date:	P 2015 Oct
Mass (g):	122.7
Pieces:	2
Class:	Eucrite-mmict
Shock stage:	low
Weathering grade:	low
Ferrosilite (mol%):	46.8-48.3; 17.3-19.1
Wollastonite (mol%):	3.4-1.5; 45.3-44.6
Classifier:	A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS
Type spec mass (g):	26
Type spec location:	UWB
Main mass:	J. Higgins
Comments:	JH15-15; submitted by A. Irving

Institutions

and collections

UWS: University of Washington, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, 70 Johnson Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, United States (institutional address; updated 15 Jan 2012)

UWB: University of Washington,

References:

Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 105, in preparation (2016)

GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY

Member of the Meteoritical Society & International Meteorite Collectors Association #9822 The authenticity of this meteorite comes with a 100% guarantee. Signed Certificate of Authenticity included. First class delivery and provenance provided. 1cm scale cube for reference purposes.

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