Lunar Meteorite: Northwest Africa 13568
NWA 8046-clan pair?
from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 109 Northwest Africa 13568 (NWA 13568)Tindouf, Algeria Classification: Lunar meteorite History: Many samples, associated with the main mass of 625 g, (total 825 g) were found in the vicinity of Tindouf, Algeria. All material was purchased by Adrián Contreras from a meteorite dealer in the area. Physical characteristics: Samples are dark in color with light orange patches caliche and have blocky irregular shapes. The cut face shows the interior is a breccia of lithic and mineral clasts set dark gray matrix with regions of small vesicles. Petrography: Description and classification (A. Love, App) Polymict breccia dominated by angular, irregularly shaped, 1 mm to 3 cm sized mineral, lithic and vitrified clasts set within a melt matrix composed of isotropic to partially devitrified translucent glass and angular mineral fragments. Gabbroic lithic clasts are dominant, fragmental clasts set in opaque glass. Additional minerals are: troilite, FeNi metal. Geochemistry: (A. Love, App) Olivine, Fa26.0±7.1 (Fa18.0-37.0, Fe/Mn=81.5±7.1, n=11); low-Ca pyroxene, Fs29.4±11.8Wo3.3±0.8 (Fs17.1-48.8Wo2.4-4.8, Fe/Mn=52.9±4.9, n=21); pigeonite, Fs38.7±6.2Wo13.8±3.3 (Fs29.1-45.3Wo9.7-19.1, Fe/Mn=55.0±3.3, n=9); high-Ca pyroxene, Fs32.5±7.9Wo30.1±4.2(Fs22.3-41.0Wo21.8-34.2, Fe/Mn=54.7±5.1, n=6); plagioclase, An97.0±0.6Or0.0±0.10 (n=9). Classification: Lunar (feldspathic breccia M-S3, low weathering). Based on textures, melt matrix component and mineral compositions, this sample is a feldspathic breccia. Specimens: Adrián Contreras holds the 58 2 g main mass. A polished thin section and 2 slices and several fragments weighing 31.26 g are on deposit at App. |
| Randy Says… I have not studied NWA 13484. It may be another pair of the NWA 8046 clan: No fusion crust, weathered exterior, many pieces, glassy, vesicular mesostasis, Fa20-40. Tindouf, Algeria. |
More InformationMeteoritical Bulletin Database NWA 13568 |