Lunar Meteorite: Northwest Africa 15377

from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 111

Northwest Africa 15377 (NWA 15377)

(Northwestern Africa)
Purchased: 2021
Mass: 209 g (3 pieces)

Lunar meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

History: Purchased by Craig Zlimen from a meteorite dealer in Algeria in 2021.

Physical Characteristics: Sample contains minor fusion crust.

Petrography: (D. Sheikh, Cascadia) Specimen is a polymict breccia comprised of mm-sized lithic and monomineralic clasts set within a dark, finer-grained fragmental matrix. Lithic clast lithologies identified include: anorthosites, troctolites, olivine norites, noritic anorthosites, and impact-melt-rich clasts. Accessory phases include ilmenite, spinel (some Cr-rich), SiO₂-rich glass, and chromite (some Ti-rich).

Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa_22.4±9.7, range Fa_10.9-44.4, Fe/Mn=84±12, n=30), Low-Ca Pyroxene (Fs_23.1±10.2Wo_3.6±0.8, range Fs_13.1-36.5Wo_2.1-4.5, Fe/Mn=50±6, n=9), Pigeonite (Fs_31.8±6.3Wo_8.9±3.6, range Fs_26.2-39.9Wo_5.6-14.7, Fe/Mn=51±4, n=5), High-Ca Pyroxene (Fs_17.4±10.8Wo_39.4±3.8, range Fs_7.2-35.1Wo_33.8-42.9, Fe/Mn=41±9, n=5), Calcic Plagioclase (An_96.0±0.7, range An_94.6-97.3, n=30).

Classification: Lunar Lunar (feldspathic fragmental breccia).

Specimens: 20.2 g at Cascadia, main mass with Craig Zlimen.

Randy Says…

I have not studied Northwest Africa 15377.

More Information

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

NWA 15377