Northwest Africa 7401 (NWA 7401)

Morocco   Purchased: May 2012

Classification: Enstatite chondrite (EL6)

History: Purchased by Sean Tutorow in Morocco, May 2012.

Physical characteristics: 150 matched stones found together, weathered exterior, saw cut reveals light-gray, very fine grained texture, a few scattered light-colored chondrules, numerous small voids, friable.

Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) SEM examination of a saw cut surface shows a distinct 3 mm radial pyroxene chondrule set in a matrix dominated by orthopyroxene, with accessory plagioclase. Plagioclase to 300 μm. No other chondrules with discernable outlines observed in the section. Matrix pyroxenes to ~100 microns; chondrule pyroxenes mostly elongate prisms to ~1 mm. Ubiquitous daubreelite, Si-bearing kamacite, and taenite. Minor schreibersite and K-rich sulfide (possibly djerfisherite). Some oxide and sulfate weathering products present on grain boundaries.

Classification: Enstatite chondrite (EL6), EL based on Si content of kamacite, type 6 based on absence of significant glass or olivine in the single analyzed chondrule and large plagioclase grains. This meteorite shares some textural similarities with Al Haggounia 001, although its plagioclase composition is significantly higher in An.