Lunar Meteorite: Northwest Africa 15859
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 112 Northwest Africa 15859 (NWA 15859)Erg Chech, Algeria Lunar meteorite (feldspathic breccia) History: A single piece was found by hunters in the Sahara, close to the town of Tindouf, Algeria. A thorough search of the surrounding area revealed no further pieces. It was subsequently purchased by Ali Muftah in May 2021 who gave it to Sean Mahoney. Physical Characteristics: One single piece with fusion crust covering one oriented side making up approximately 50% of the surface. The main mass is in the collection of Sean Mahoney. Petrography: (D. Sheikh, Cascadia) Fragmental breccia comprised of mm to cm-sized lithic and mineral clasts set within a dark, fine-grained matrix. Lithic clast lithologies identified include anorthosites, noritic anorthosites, troctolitic anorthosites, and impact melt-rich clasts. Accessory phases identified include ilmenite and merrillite. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa40.2±10.0, range Fa24.9-54.1, Fe/Mn=89±11, n=10), Low-Ca Pyroxene (Fs32.2±4.6Wo3.5±0.4, range Fs24.7-39.1Wo3.1-4.1, Fe/Mn=56±3, n=6), Pigeonite (Fs30.4±7.1Wo9.3±3.6, range Fs25.4-35.4Wo6.8-11.8, Fe/Mn=59±2, n=2), Calcic Plagioclase (An95.5±1.5, range An91.2-97.6, n=15). Classification: Lunar (feldspathic fragmental breccia). Specimens: 5.2 grams at Cascadia, main mass with Sean Mahoney. |
| Randy Says… I have not studied Northwest Africa 15859. |
More InformationMeteoritical Bulletin Database NWA 15859 |