Lunar Meteorite: Northwest Africa 17241

from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 114

Northwest Africa 17241 (NWA 17241)

Algeria
Purchased: 2024 June
Mass: 215 g (1 piece)

Lunar meteorite (feldspathic fragmental breccia)

History: Originally found in Adrar, Algeria; later purchased online in June 2024 by Raymond Borges from Sidali Mohamed Salem.

Physical Characteristics: Single stone with minor fusion crust.

Petrography: (D. Sheikh, Cascadia) Sample is a polymict breccia comprised of sub-mm to mm-sized lithic and mineral clasts set within a fine-grained matrix. Clast lithologies are predominantly anorthositic (i.e. anorthosites, noritic anorthosites), although other clast types are present as well (i.e. basalts, norites, impact melt clasts). Accessory phases identified include Ca-phosphates, ilmenite, silica, chromite, and troilite. Several melt veins were observed in the sample (occurring interstitial to lithic clasts).

Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa_31.5±5.1, range Fa_22.0-36.2, Fe/Mn =87±4, n=7), Low-Ca pyroxene (Fs_21.3±3.8Wo_3.2±1.2, range Fs_18.3-25.6Wo_1.9-4.0, Fe/Mn =57±7, n=3), pigeonite (Fs_28.9±5.5Wo_11.2±3.3, range Fs_24.4-41.3Wo_7.0-18.3, Fe/Mn =50±6, n=12), high-Ca pyroxene (Fs_20.2±3.5Wo_33.6±2.1, range Fs_18.0-24.2Wo_32.0-36.0, Fe/Mn =46±2, n=3), calcic plagioclase (An_95.9±1.9, range An_89.7-97.7, n=18).

Classification: Lunar (feldspathic fragmental breccia).

Specimens: 22.7 g at Cascadia, main mass with Raymond Borges.

Randy Says…

I have not studied Northwest Africa 17241.

More Information

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

NWA 17241