Lunar Meteorite: Northwest Africa 16134

from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 112

Northwest Africa 16134 (NWA 16134)

Algeria
Purchased: 2022
Mass: 644 g (1 piece)

Lunar meteorite (melt breccia)

History: Reportedly found in Algeria. Purchased from Craig Zlimen in 2022.

Physical Characteristics: A sawn surface reveals this meteorite to be a breccia with scattered fragments of light and brown colored clasts set in dark-gray matrix.

Petrography: C. Agee, UNM) Electron microprobe analysis and reflected light microscopy of a polished mount show this meteorite to be a melt breccia with scattered mineral and lithic fragments. Minor amounts of ilmenite, troilite, chromite (aluminous), chromite (titaniferous, aluminous) and Ti-Cr-spinel were detected. Barite and calcite, which are presumably weathering products, were also detected.

Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Olivine Fa_35.0±6.7, Fe/Mn=97±7, n=6; augite Fs_13.3±0.2Wo_40.1±0.1, Fe/Mn=47±1, n=2; low-Ca pyroxene Fs_24.9±0.2Wo_3.4±0.3, Fe/Mn=64±5, n=3; plagioclase An_96.9±0.3, n=4.

Classification: Lunar melt breccia

Specimens: 22.5 g on deposit at UNM, L.A. Boltryk holds the main mass.

Randy Says…

I have not studied Northwest Africa 16134.

More Information

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

NWA 16134