Lunar Meteorite: Northwest Africa 16716

Two sides (polished, left; unpolished, right) of a 3.3-g slice of Northwest Africa 16716. Photo credit: Matthew Stream

from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 113

Northwest Africa 16716 (NWA 16716)

(Northwestern Africa)
Purchased: 2024-April
Mass: 391.6 g (1 piece)

Lunar meteorite (fragmental breccia)

History: Matthew Stream purchased this meteorite from Bachir Salek in April 2024.

Physical Characteristics: Single stone, fusion crust absent. Exterior surface displays scattered light colored clasts set in a very dark colored groundmass.

Petrography: (C. Agee and M. Spilde, UNM) Reflected light microscopy and electron microprobe analysis indicates a lunar fragmental breccia with lithic and mineral clasts. Major phases are plagioclase, pigeonite, augite, and olivine. Minor phases include ilmenite, troilite, and rare Fe-metal.

Geochemistry: (M. Splide, UNM) Plagioclase An96.0±0.9Ab3.8±1.0, n=3; pigeonite Fs23.2±10.1Wo4.6±1.9, Fe/Mn=52±4, n=2; augite Fs22.5±0.3Wo38.1±7.4, Fe/Mn=58±5, n=2, olivine Fa33.4±9.2, Fe/Mn=104±13, n=5.

Classification: Lunar fragmental breccia.

Specimens: 21 g on deposit at UNM, Matthew Stream holds the main mass.

Randy Says…

I have not studied Northwest Africa 16716.

More Information

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

NWA 16716

Lunar Meteorites
List – ABC123 Order
List – Al2O3 Order