Lot 805
Martian Mini-Meteorite Complete and Uncut. Meteorites from the planet Mars are so rare that only small fragments are available for sale. These rare meteorites have been identified as being from Mars because of their chemical analysis and age. They are younger than most of the meteorites from the asteroid belt that were formed at the same time as the solar system 4.5 Billion Years Ago. It is believed that Martian meteorite NWA 7397 was blasted off the surface of Mars by a meteorite impact around 2.1 million years age. In 2012 in the Sahara desert near Smara, Morocco a 2.1 KG meteorite and a number of small individual meteorites with a total weight of less than 5 Kg were found and submitted for analysis. This Martian meteorite(named NWA 7397) was found to be a poikilitic Shergotite with two different textural regions. The poikilitic textural region consisted of olivine and chromite ovoid crystals. The non poikilitic textural region consisted of fine grains of olivine, pyroxene, and maskelynite. This uncut meteorite is 18 x 11mm weighing 2.2 grams and has more than 30 percent of its original dark brown fusion crust from burning in the Earth's atmosphere. The inside of the meteorite can be also studied showing a number of the olivine and chromite ovoid crystals. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a complete meteorite that you can hold in your hand from the planet Mars. Preserved in a 8 x 6" Riker mount. Estimated Value $700 - 900
|
| |
| Realized $660 |
