Lunar
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (melt breccia)
Country
Year found
2023
Mass
3.15 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 2.47g
History: The meteorite was purchased from a meteorite dealer in Timokten, Algeria. Physical characteristics: Several grayish-greenish fragments including a large 3 kg single stone. Petrography: Melt breccia composed of grayish-greenish clasts set in abundant anorthite-rich melt rock matrix displaying pronounced flow and quench textures with small ancicular crystals nucleating on larger entrained mineral grains. Major phases are pigeonite, often zoned augite and less abundant olivine. Minor phases include ilmenite, chromite, and troilite. Geochemistry: olivine: Fa24.0±0.1??(Fa23.9-24.2, FeO/MnO=84±8, n=7); pigeonite: Fs25.0±1.5Wo10.0±0.5??(Fs21.9-27.1Wo9.1-10.6, FeO/MnO=47±3, n=7); zoned Ca-pyroxene: Fs23.4±3.2Wo29.3±6.2??(Fs20.4-26.4Wo16.1-35.2, FeO/MnO=45±5, n=7); calcic plagioclase: An95.8±0.8??(An94.8-97.7, n=7) Classification: Melt breccia (anorthositic norite/gabbro) based on Stoeffler et al. (1980). Specimens: Marcin Cimala holds 750 g, Craig Zlimen holds 600 g, Mark Lyon holds a 600 g and a 980 g mass, and Paul Durzan holds 400 g.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (melt breccia)
Country
Year found
2021
Mass
28.8 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 13.2g
History: Found in 2021 in Libya and purchased by Adam Aaronson and Ahmed Salek in April 2021 from a dealer in Ajdabiya, Libya. Physical characteristics: The specimens (total weight 28.8 kg) are distinctive in having relatively closely packed and unusually large, angular, light-gray lithic clasts (up to 2 cm) within a sparse dark, fine-grained matrix. Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS, and P. Carpenter, WUSL) Breccia composed of angular lithic clasts and related crystalline debris within a sparse fine-grained and in part microvesicular matrix. Portions of the glassy matrix exhibit streaky flow-banding. Clast lithologies include spinel troctolite and quench-textured basaltic rocks. Minerals include anorthite, olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, exsolved pigeonite, augite, ilmenite, chromite (with variable Ti content), Fe-Cr-bearing spinel:, kamacite and troilite. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa27.3-45.5, FeO/MnO = 86-101, N = 5), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs27.8-40.8Wo2.4-4.6, FeO/MnO = 52-63, N = 5), augite (Fs19.0-22.0Wo44.0-41.6, FeO/MnO = 46-50, N = 2), anorthite (An94.8-97.4Or0.1-0.0, N = 4). Classification: Lunar (feldspathic melt matrix breccia). Specimens: 26.4 g in the form of a polished endcut at UWB; remainder with Aaronson
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
1997
Mass
513 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.016g
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Search for specimens in the Smithsonian Institution collection (U.S.): Search for this meteorite in the Natural History Museum collection (U.K.): Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 81, MAPS 32, A159-A166 (1997)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
1998
Mass
1425 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 8.37g
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Search for this meteorite in the Natural History Museum collection (U.K.): Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 82, MAPS 33, A221-A240 (1998)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2001
Mass
33.7 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.95g
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 89, MAPS 40, A201-A263 (2005)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2001
Mass
34.1 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) tiny crumbs
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 87, MAPS 38, A189-A248 (2003)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2003
Mass
245 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.006g
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Search for this meteorite in the Natural History Museum collection (U.K.): Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 88, MAPS 39, A215-A272 (2004)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2003
Mass
197 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.172g
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 88, MAPS 39, A215-A272 (2004)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2005
Mass
115.2 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.85g
This is 1 of 102 approved meteorites classified as Lunar. Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 91, MAPS 42, 413-466 (2007)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2021
Mass
1270 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 46.66g (2) 16.85g
History: This meteorite was reportedly found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002 in 2021, purchased by Abdelhadi Aithiba in 2021. Physical characteristics: Two identically appearing stones (670 and 600 g) found together at the Gadamis 002 site. The stones have a light green sand-blasted exterior, patches of smoothed dark fusion crust, as well as some light tan desert weathering. Polished sawcut surfaces reveal a brecciated, very fine-grained light gray interior with a few scattered white grains. Petrography: (A. Ross and C. Agee, UNM) Microprobe analysis reveals a significantly brecciated, cataclastic anorthitic plagioclase host making up 98-99% of this meteorite. Poikilitically enclosed in the plagioclase are sparse, very small olivine and pyroxene blebs (most in the range 5-10 μm). Larger pyroxene grains are scarce with two larger grains in size range of 300 μm observed in the microprobe mount. Together, olivine and pyroxene make up a total of ~1-2% of this meteorite. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Plagioclase An96.1±0.4Ab3.8±0.4Or0.2±0.1, n=6; olivine Fa39.1±0.8, Fe/Mn=105±5, n=6; pigeonite Fs32.9±4.9Wo6.1±2.5, Fe/Mn=59±4, n=5. Classification: Lunar ferroan anorthosite, cataclastic. Olivine, pigeonite and plagioclase compositional values plot within the FAN suite field (after Warren, 1993). The very high anorthite content (98-99%) and cataclastic texture is similar to Apollo 16 cataclastic FANs. Paired with Gadamis 002. Specimens: 24.32 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon and Craig Zlimen hold the main masses.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2022
Mass
12.66 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 5.84g
History: This meteorite was found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002 and 003, purchased by Mark Lyon in 2022. Physical characteristics: Single stone with patches of dark fusion crust and smooth, light green-colored patches. One side is more irregular with a weathered surface that was fractured at some time in the past. Polished sawcut surfaces reveal cm-size clasts of anorthosite bounded by darker, fine-grained, cataclastic zones. Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) Microprobe analysis reveals a significantly brecciated, cataclastic anorthitic plagioclase host making up 98-99% of this meteorite. Poikiolitically enclosed in the plagioclase are sparse, very small olivine and pyroxene blebs (most in the range 5-10 μm). Larger pyroxene grains are scarce with two larger grains in size range of 300 μm observed in the microprobe mount. Together, olivine and pyroxene make up a total of ~1-2% of this meteorite. Geochemistry: (C. Agee, UNM) Plagioclase An96.0±0.1Ab3.8±0.1Or0.2±0.1, n=4; olivine Fa38.9±1.0, Fe/Mn=105±3, n=4; pigeonite Fs34.0±4.8Wo5.4±2.3, Fe/Mn=60±3, n=4; augite Fs5.7Wo46.1, Fe/Mn=32. Classification: Lunar ferroan anorthosite, cataclastic. Olivine, pigeonite and plagioclase compositional values plot within the FAN suite field (after Warren, 1993). The very high anorthite content (98-99%) and cataclastic texture is similar to Apollo 16 cataclastic FANs. Paired with Gadamis 002 and Gadamis 003. Specimens: 21 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2022
Mass
10 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 320g(Pair) (2)220g(Pair)
History: This meteorite was found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002, 003 and 004, purchased by Mark Lyon in 2022. Physical characteristics: Single stone with patches of dark fusion crust and smooth, light green-colored patches. Polished sawcut surfaces reveal cm-size clasts of anorthosite bounded by darker, fine-grained, cataclastic zones. Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) Microprobe analysis reveals a significantly brecciated, cataclastic anorthitic plagioclase host making up 98-99% of this meteorite. Poikiolitically enclosed in the plagioclase are sparse, very small olivine and pyroxene blebs (most in the range 5-10 μm). Larger pyroxene grains are scarce with two larger grains in size range of 300 μm observed in the microprobe mount. Together, olivine and pyroxene make up a total of ~1-2% of this meteorite. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Plagioclase An96.6±0.7Ab3.1±0.7Or0.2±0.1, n=6; olivine Fa30.7±1.7, Fe/Mn=109±10, n=5; pigeonite Fs27.8±5.2Wo7.2±8.0, Fe/Mn=53±3, n=3; augite Fs15.3±4.7Wo39.4±5.1, Fe/Mn=44±9, n=3. Classification: Lunar ferroan anorthosite, cataclastic. Olivine, pigeonite and plagioclase compositional values plot within the FAN suite field (after Warren, 1993). The very high anorthite content (98-99%) and cataclastic texture is similar to Apollo 16 cataclastic FANs. Paired with Gadamis 002, Gadamis 003, and Gadamis 004. Specimens: 20.5 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2002
Mass
262 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.05g
This is 1 of 82 approved meteorites classified as Lunar (anorth). Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 89, MAPS 40, A201-A263 (2005)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (anorth)
Country
Year found
2000
Mass
1015 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.06g
History: Found near Gawa, Mali, in February 2009 and purchased from a dealer by Adam Aaronson. Physical characteristics: A single, buff-colored, rounded stone (170 g) lacking fusion crust (Fig. 2). Small white clasts are visible in a pale, finer grained matrix. Petrography (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS; T. Bunch, NAU): Recrystallized breccia composed mainly of plagioclase (up to 100 μm) with fine-grained (
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (gabbro)
Country
Year found
2005
Mass
233 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.27g
History: A single minimally weathered fusion-encrusted stone of 233 g was purchased from a Moroccan dealer in Tagounite, Morocco, by MFarmer in November 2005. Petrography and Geochemistry: (J. Wittke and T. Bunch, NAU; A. Irving, UWS) The specimen consists of a single yellow-green, relatively coarse-grained rock traversed by thin, black glass-rich veins. It is an olivine-rich, two-pyroxene cumulate gabbro composed of olivine (Fa31.7; FeO/ MnO = 96; 52 vol%), (Fs26.6Wo6.7; 23 vol%), augite (Fs16.2Wo29; 9 vol%), and plagioclase (An56; 14 vol%) with minor amounts of Ba-K feldspar, chromite, ilmenite, and merrillite. Larger pigeonite grains commonly enclose equant olivine grains, which contain abundant melt inclusions (0.025–0.125 mm). Plagioclase is partially converted to maskelynite, and pyroxenes and olivine exhibit shock lamellae and undulatory extinction. Note: This specimen is identical in texture and mineral composition to the gabbro clasts in NWA 773 and NWA 2700 and thus appears to be paired with those breccia specimens. Classification: Achondrite (lunar, gabbro); minimal weathering. Specimens: A 20.1 g type specimen and one polished thin section are on deposit at NAU. A 0.5 g specimen is on deposit at WUSL. An anonymous owner holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2001
Mass
1634 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.66g (2) 0.09g
History: In August 2005, G. Hupé purchased a 1634 g stone from a Moroccan dealer in Ouarzazate. Petrography and Geochemistry: (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS) The exterior is almost completely coated by a thin, transparent, greenish fusion crust. The pale gray interior has multiple shock fractures (with very minor calcite coatings) and some thin glass veins. Poikiloblastic recrystallized breccia, with larger grains of plagioclase (~70 vol%) enclosing much smaller grains (less than 100 µm across) of pyroxenes (~20 vol%), olivine (~10 vol%), and accessory Ti-chromite (Cr/(Cr+Al) = 0.714–0.736; Mg/(Mg+Fe) = 0.121– 0.143; TiO2 = 9.1–18.4 wt%), ilmenite, troilite, and metal (Ni = ~15 wt%). Anorthitic plagioclase (An97.4–98.2) has been converted by shock almost entirely to maskelynite (although domains of birefringent, less-shocked feldspar remain). Pigeonitic pyroxene grains have very fine-scale exsolution lamellae of augite (Fs14.5–16.1Wo40.2–40.5; FeO/MnO = 41.7– 43.8) within orthopyroxene (Fs32.0–33.9Wo4.4–5.8; FeO/MnO = 55.5–61.2). Olivine (Fa38.0–40.9; FeO/MnO = 91.7–110). Classification: Achondrite (lunar, feldspathic granulitic impactite). Specimens: A 20.1 g type specimen and one polished thin section are on deposit at UWS. GHupé holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2006
Mass
1372 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 1.81g
History: Two pieces were purchased from nomads in Erfoud, Morocco, in October 2006 and February 2007. Physical characteristics: A. Habibi purchased two pieces with a total mass of 477 g in Rissani, Morocco; several other pieces of the same stone totaling 895 g are with Ait Elkaid in Rissani, Morocco. Dull black/brown fusion crust is nearly complete and inside slightly tarnished where absent. It is a gray, coarse-grained, pristine magmatic rock consisting of millimeter-sized phenocrysts of mainly pyroxene and plagioclase. Petrography: (A. Jambon, O. Boudouma, and D. Badia, UPVI). The texture is best described as shergottite-like. Pyroxene grains are highly fractured while plagioclase laths, partly transformed to maskelynite, are only affected by a small number of fractures. Silica and silica-feldspar glass are minor components. A few patches of impact melt are also observed. Ilmenite, baddeleyite, zirconolite, tranquilityite, pyrrhotite, and metal. Fayalite associated with silica probably results from the dissociation of iron rich pyroxene. Modal mineralogy (vol%): Cpx 50, plagioclase + K-feldspar 32, silica + glass 7.5, opaques (ilmenite, Ti-magnetite, pyrrhotite) + fayalite 7, voids + fractures 3. Geochemistry: Mineralogy by EMP and SEM. (Trace and major element analyses ICP-MS and ICP-AES, J.-A. Barrat, UBO). Pyroxene grains are complexly zoned (En65Fs21Wo13 to En2Fs83Wo15; FeO/MnO = 78 [average]). A few compositions correspond to pyroxferroite. Plagioclase is normally zoned from An75-91 (average An89) with minor olivine (Fa80-95). Chondrite normalized REE pattern with an enrichment of 53 (La) to 40 (Yb). Trace element pattern with negative anomalies of Sr and Eu. Interstitial glass is high in silica (75 wt%) and contains microcrysts of K-feldspar with a significant celsian component. The chemistry and major and trace elements are identical to NWA 032-479-773 and LAP 02205-02224-02226-02436- 03632. The texture is very similar to that of the LAP specimens. The very low abundance of olivine and the relative abundance of silica in NWA 4734 are the main differences beside the grain size and the slightly different composition of the major phases. Classification: Achondrite (lunar); extensive shock. Type specimens: A total of 20 g of sample and one polished section is on deposit at UPVI. Mbarek Ait Elkaid holds the main masses. Submitted by: A. Jambon, UPVI. The description of NWA 4734 was submitted as a monzogabbro, but the Nomenclature Committee was not convinced by the materials submitted that this was a correct sub-classification for this sample.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2007
Mass
42 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.056g
History: Purchased by Greg Hupé in July 2007 from a dealer in Tagounite, Morocco. Physical characteristics: A single stone (42 g) partially covered by black fusion crust; interior slices show it to be a breccia composed of white, beige, and light gray clasts in a dark gray matrix (Fig. 3). Petrography: (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS) Regolithic breccia composed of abundant angular mineral and lithic clasts in a sparse vesicular, glassy matrix. Mineral fragments include calcic plagioclase, pigeonite, augite, Ti chromite, ilmenite (one with a tiny baddeleyite inclusion) and silica polymorph. Lithic clasts include several types of mare basalt (a coarse-grained example is composed of olivine + zoned pigeonite + calcic plagioclase + ilmenite + troilite), granophyric intergrowths of Fe-rich augite + fayalitic olivine + silica polymorph, a coarse-grained dunitic or troctolitic rock containing a large metal grain (associated with rutile and secondary ilmenite), and a large "breccia-within-breccia" clast. Mare basalt clasts and debris are predominant over highlands lithologies. Geochemistry: Olivine clasts (Fa37.0-37.7; FeO/MnO = 94- 98), olivine in basalt clast (Fa87.9; FeO/MnO = 89), plagioclase (An92.4-95.3Or0.5-0.1), pigeonite host (Fs52.3Wo10.5; FeO/MnO = 65.2), augite lamella (Fs31.9Wo31.9; FeO/MnO = 60.3), pigeonite clast (Fs60.1Wo7.0; FeO/MnO = 71.1), augite clast (Fs17.2Wo36.9; FeO/MnO = 53.3). Bulk composition: (R. Korotev, WUSL) FeO = 13.7 wt%; Sm = 3.1 ppm, Th = 0.9 ppm, Ir = 3.4 ppb. Classification: Achondrite (lunar, mingled basalt-rich breccia). Specimens: A total of 8.4 g of sample and one polished mount are on deposit at UWS. GHupé holds the main mass. Submitted by: A. Irving, UWS.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2009
Mass
170 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 2.570g (2) 2.127g (3) 1.888g
History: Found near Gawa, Mali, in February 2009 and purchased from a dealer by Adam Aaronson. Physical characteristics: A single, buff-colored, rounded stone (170 g) lacking fusion crust (Fig. 2). Small white clasts are visible in a pale, finer grained matrix. Petrography (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS; T. Bunch, NAU): Recrystallized breccia composed mainly of plagioclase (up to 100 μm) with fine-grained (
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2011
Mass
208 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 0.75g (2) 0.07g
History: The meteorite was found by anonymous finder on the Sueilila (Zwilila) limestone plateau, ~40 km E of Hassi Lakra (Playa del Cordero) station, in the desert. Physical characteristics: One brownish-grey to dark green stone weighing 208 g in total, with no fusion crust. Petrography: (Lorenz C.A., Ivanova M.A., and Demidova S.I. Vernad.) The meteorite is polymict, melt matrix breccia, consisting of numerous mineral and lithic fragments embedded in a fine-grained devitrified matrix. Lithic clasts dominated by melt breccias, granulites, anorthosites, gabbro, gabbro-norites, troctolites and VLT-like basalts. Rare spherules of devitrified glass occur. The size range of the clasts is 0.02-9 mm; the main minerals are pyroxene and feldspar; minor - olivine, silica, chromite, ilmenite, Zr-armolcolite, troilite, and FeNi metal. Geochemistry: (Kononkova N.N., Vernad, EMP) feldspar An91-97Ab2.8-6.0; clinopyroxene En7.7-68.3Wo5.1-42.0, orthopyroxene En44.4-75.0Wo2.6-4.9 (FeO/MnO = 60.03), olivine Fo4.7-63.3 (FeO/MnO = 87); ilmenite (MgO 0.24-4.02 wt%), Al,Ti-chromite (TiO2 8.4 wt%, Al2O3 8.2 wt%) and ulvospinel. FeNi metal: 0.68-9.51 wt% Ni; 0.40-2.27 wt% Co; sulfide is troilite. Classification: Lunar (regolith breccia). The grade of weathering is moderate. Specimens: A total of 21.7 g of sample and two thin sections are on deposit at Vernad. An anonymous finder holds the main mass of the meteorite.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (gabbro)
Country
Year found
2011
Mass
1649 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 110g
History: Reported to be found near the border between Mali and Algeria in June 2011, and purchased from the finder by Adam Aaronson in August 2011. Physical characteristics: A single yellowish-green stone (1649 g, broken into 8 pieces) with partial fusion crust. Thin black shock veins are visible in the interior. Petrography: (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS) Relatively coarse grained with a cumulate igneous texture. Aggregate dominated by olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, pigeonite, and subcalcic augite, with interstitial very calcic plagioclase. Accessory minerals are ilmenite, Ti-chromite, armalcolite, troilite, baddeleyite, taenite and merrillite with rare zirconolite and K-feldspar. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa31.9-32.7, Fe/Mn=85-97), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs27.1-28.1Wo4.8-4.5, Fe/Mn=47-55), pigeonite (Fs25.6±0.0Wo9.2-11.1, Fe/Mn=47-52), subcalcic augite (Fs13.9Wo36.9, Fe/Mn=41), plagioclase (An87.9-93.0Or1.1-0.9). Classification: Achondrite (lunar, gabbro). This specimen is texturally and mineralogically identical to NWA 2977 and the olivine gabbro clasts in NWA 773, NWA 2700, NWA 2727 and NWA 3333, and evidently is paired with those stones. Specimens: A total of 20.1 g of sample and one polished thin section are on deposit at UWS. The main mass is held by Aaronson.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2013
Mass
773 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 1.75g (2) 0.79g
History: Purchased by Adam Aaronson in Morocco, 2013. Physical characteristics: Single stone, no fusion crust, irregular sandblasted exterior with numerous light- and dark-colored clasts. Saw cut reveals brecciated texture with white feldspar and green-brown pyroxene and olivine grains (up to 3 mm) set in a dark gray-green matrix. Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) Microprobe examination of polished mount shows a fragmental breccia of plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine grains in a wide range of grain sizes. The groundmass is variable with some domains showing a uniform fine-grained subophitic plagioclase-pyroxene texture, while other domains show densely packed mineral clasts ranging from 10-300 μm. There are several sharp boundaries between the various textural domains, with at least two compositionally distinct olivine populations, and a wide range of pyroxene compositions, indicating multiple lithologies of a mingled fragmental breccia. Accessory ilmenite, silica polymorph, and troilite. Geochemistry: (C. Agee, UNM). Fayalitic olivine grain Fa92.0, Fe/Mn=92; forsteritic olivine Fa41.1±11.8, Fe/Mn=103±8, n=9; pyroxene Fs40.5±12.9Wo22.4±9.4, Fe/Mn=65±9, n=63; plagioclase An90.9±7.2Ab8.6±6.8Or0.5±0.5, n=30. Classification: Achondrite (lunar breccia), comparison of macroscopic and backscatter-electron textures, geochemistry of pyroxenes, olivines, and plagioclase, indicate that this meteorite is likely paired with NWA 7611. Specimens: A total of 21 g including a probe mount on deposit at UNM. Aaronson holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2014
Mass
36.5 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 1.64g
History: Purchased by F. Kuntz in June 2014 from a dealer in Zagora, Morocco. Physical characteristics: Smooth-surfaced, fine grained, greenish-gray stone (36.5 g) with cross-cutting black veins. Petrography: (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS) Granuloblastic texture with larger grains of anorthite and very small grains of olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, high-Ca pyroxene, Al-bearing chromite, troilite and taenite. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa 23.3-23.5, FeO/MnO = 81-83), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs18.9-19.6Wo5.2-4.7; FeO/MnO = 53-58), high-Ca pyroxene (Fs9.8Wo40.6, FeO/MnO = 59), plagioclase (An97.0-97.1Or0.1). Bulk composition (R. Korotev, WUSL) INAA of subsamples gave the following mean abundances (in wt.%) FeO 5.4, Na2O 0.23; (in ppm) Sc 7.1, Ni 140, La 0.71, Sm 0.37, Eu 0.55, Yb 0.34, Lu 0.05, Hf 0.23, Th 0.08. Classification: Lunar (troctolitic granulitic breccia). On the basis of essentially identical texture, mineralogy and bulk composition, this specimen is paired with NWA 5744. Specimens: 7.47 g including one polished slice at PSF; main mass with Kuntz.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2015
Mass
354 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 4.04g
History: Purchased by Steve Arnold from a dealer in Ouarzarete, Morocco in 2015. Physical characteristics: Two stones totaling 354 g (218 and 136 g). A sawed piece from one of the stones reveals a very fine-grained, light-gray groundmass that is cross-cut by several shock melt veins. Larger white clasts within the groundmass are present. Petrography: A. Hilton (CoW), J. Gross (Rut). This meteorite is an anorthositic troctolite with a granulitic texture. It contains plagioclase (59-65%), olivine (23-26%), orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene (pyx total: 12-15%) as the main silicate phases. Accessory grains of spinel were observed. Microprobe examination shows two particularly large clasts (diameters 3.1-4.7 mm) surrounded by a light-gray, fine-grained matrix and many smaller clasts (0.1-0.8 mm). The sample is crosscut by an abundant number of thin shock melt veins. The veins show compositional variation as well as partial assimilation of surrounding grains in some areas and are homogeneous in others. Plagioclase grains (0.2-0.8 mm) are angular and sub-euhedral in shape, while mafic clasts rich in olivine and pyroxene (0.1-0.3 mm) are composed of small (
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2017
Mass
912 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 1.96g (2) 3.882g (3) 3.625g (4) 2.112g
(5) 3.72g
History: The meteorite was bought in 2017 from a meteorite dealer in Erfoud, Morocco. Physical characteristics: Many small grayish individuals lacking any fusion crust. White to beige clasts in greyish matrix are visible at the surface. Petrography: The meteorite is a breccia composed of angular to subrounded whitish clasts up to 1 cm in size set into a greyish vitreous groundmass. Mineral fragments are also present in the matrix. Dominant mineral phases are low-Ca pyroxene, Ca- pyroxene, olivine and calcic plagioclase. Minor phases include chromite, ilmenite, fayalite, pyrrhotite, FeNi metal, and barite. Contains some melt regions displaying quenching textures of dendritic pyroxene and plagioclase. Geochemistry: olivine: Fa30.1±10.4 (Fa18.4-52, n=16, FeO/MnO=79-112); low-Ca pyroxene: Fs33.3±2,8Wo2.5±1.0 (Fs30.4-36.4Wo1.4-3.8, n=10, FeO/MnO=55-64); Ca-pyroxene: Fs16.1±4.0Wo40.0±4.2 (Fs8.9-23.2Wo31.3-45.1, n=14, FeO/MnO=36-64); calcic plagioclase: An96.4±0.8 (An95.4-98.0, n=16) Classification: Lunar (feldspathic breccia)
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (melt breccia)
Country
Year found
2020
Mass
16.97 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 4.14g
History: Numerous stones (purportedly found at the same unspecified site in Algeria which produced NWA 13676) were purchased by Darryl Pitt in December 2020 from a dealer in Zagora, Morocco. Physical characteristics: All of the stones (total weight 16974 g) are dark gray and relatively fine grained with an exterior shiny patina. Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS and P. Carpenter, WUSL) Breccia composed of mineral clasts of anorthite, olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, pigeonite and augite plus mafic lithic clasts in a very fine grained matrix containing partially altered kamacite, both high-Ti and low-Ti chromite, and minor secondary barite and celestite. These specimens are richer in mafic components by comparison with typical feldspathic lunar breccias. Mafic lithic clasts include microgabbro, subophitic olivine-bearing mare basalt and quench-textured basalt lithologies. The matrix exhibits some fluidal alignment of elongate mineral clasts and is sparsely microvesicular. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa26.2-41.1, FeO/MnO = 81-92, N = 5), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs27.8Wo4.4, FeO/MnO = 60), pigeonite (Fs23.9-35.9Wo13.5-18.6, FeO/MnO = 43-52, N = 3), subcalcic augite (Fs43.6Wo32.4, FeO/MnO = 51), augite (Fs11.0Wo38.4, FeO/MnO = 41), anorthite (An93.8-96.6Or0.4-0.1, N = 3). Classification: Lunar (melt breccia). This material has textural, petrologic and mineral chemical features consistent with being paired to the stone classified as NWA 13676, and was procured from the same Algerian source. Specimens: 20.85 g in the form of a polished endcut at UWB; remainder with DPitt.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (melt breccia)
Country
Year found
2020
Mass
2.6 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 3.48g (2) 2.59g (3) 4.19g
History: Purchased in 2021 by Matthew and Travis Stream from a meteorite dealer in Algeria. Physical characteristics: Specimen contains a dark-brown fusion crust. An interior slice reveals light and dark clasts within a darker matrix. Petrography: (D. Sheikh, FSU) Sample is an impact melt breccia composed of angular to sub-rounded mineral and lithic clasts (
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2021
Mass
7.94 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 80g
History: Multiple complete individuals ranging in size from 1 - 800 g were found in the Western Sahara. Adam Aaronson purchased the samples in Temara in 2021 Physical characteristics: Exterior of the 20% of the samples is light orangish-gray in color and shows voids, some of which are circular in profile. The cut face shows the interior is darker grey and shows a brecciated texture. Other samples found on the surface are reported to have a shiny black wind-ablated exterior. Petrography: Description and classification (A. Love, App) Sample is a complex breccia composed of rounded to irregular-shaped, mm-sized lithic and anhedral mineral clasts surrounded by a melt matrix. Lithic clasts include: anorthosite, norite, troctolite, brecciated and shock melted clasts. Mineral clasts are dominantly anorthite with minor zoned olivine. Matrix areas within the thin section show some regions with flow-textured glass and fine vesicles. Additional minerals are:
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (frag. breccia)
Country
Year found
2021
Mass
1035 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 10.3g
History: Found in 2020 by Mauritanian meteorite hunters. Purchased by Douglas Chenin from a Mauritanian meteorite dealer in 2021. Physical characteristics: Several identical large individuals and multiple medium to small identical individuals totaling 1035 g. Shiny, irregular shaped, sandblasted exteriors with patches of two colors, dark brown and light brownish-yellow, representing the main lithologies in these meteorite samples. Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) Electron microprobe analysis of a polished mount shows this meteorite to be a lunar polymict breccia with at least two distinct lithologies. Lithology 1: this is feldspathic breccia consisting of fragments of olivine and pyroxene, and anorthitic plagioclase, with accessory phases Fe,Ni-metal, Fe-sulfide, ilmenite, and chromite. Lithology 2: this is a basaltic textured domain with intergranular pyroxene and plagioclase grains that grades into a partially shock melted pyroxene cumulate textured domain, with minor barite, Fe-sulfide, ilmenite, and silica -- olivine is absent. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) olivine Fa48.1±9.0, Fe/Mn=104±12, n=12; clinopyroxene Fs38.5±14.9Wo13.8±13.9, Fe/Mn=58±7, n=13; plagioclase An94.9±1.7, n=6. Classification: Polymict fragmental lunar breccia. Specimens: 24.05 g on deposit at UNM, DChenin holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (frag. breccia)
Country
Year found
2021
Mass
10.05 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 4.21g
History: Purchased from a meteorite dealer in Mauritania in 2021. Physical characteristics: Three identical appearing pieces (2.74 kg, 2.41 kg, and 4.90 kg) found together. Saw cut slice surfaces shows numerous dark gray and white clasts many of which are angular, also a few breccia clasts with a distinct appearance from the host groundmass breccia are visible. Petrography: (A. Ross and C. Agee, UNM) Electron microprobe analysis and reflected light microscopy indicate a lunar polymict breccia. Major phases are plagioclase, olivine, and pyroxene; minor phases Cr-spinel, ilmenite, zircon, troilite, and Fe-metal (low Ni) were detected. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Plagioclase An96.1±1.7Ab3.6±0.3, n=4; olivine Fa32.1±7.5, Fe/Mn=99±7, n=6; pigeonite Fs30.1±3.8Wo9.7±3.5, Fe/Mn=53±5, n=4; augite Fs15.3±4.5Wo39.9±2.7, Fe/Mn=45±6, n=2. Classification: Lunar fragmental breccia Specimens: 24.8 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon holds the main mass.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (frag. breccia)
Country
Year found
2020
Mass
8 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 12.45g
History: Purchased January, 2020 by Mark Lyon from a northwest African dealer Physical characteristics: Three identical stones, cut surface reveals a fragmental breccia set in a dark-gray ground mass. Petrography: (A. Ross, UNM; D. Dickens, NMMS; C. Agee, UNM) This meteorite is a clast-rich polymict breccia with lithic fragments embedded in a fine-grained moderately vesiculated groundmass. Fragmental clasts sizes range from
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (frag. breccia)
Country
Year found
2020
Mass
12 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 58.3g
History: Purchased January, 2020 by Mark Lyon from a Northwest African dealer Physical characteristics: Eight identical looking stones of varying sizes without fusion crust. Cut surface of one of the stones reveals a fragmental breccia set in a dark-gray ground mass. Petrography: (A. Ross, UNM; D. Dickens, NMMS; C. Agee, UNM) This meteorite is a clast-rich polymict breccia with lithic fragments embedded in a fine-grained moderately vesiculated groundmass showing dispersed melt features. Quenched melt pockets were observed enclosing some olivine and pyroxenes grains. Fragmental clasts sizes range from
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar (melt breccia)
Country
Year found
2021
Mass
2.3 kg
[Museum Collection]
(1) 5.32g
History: Purchased from a Moroccan meteorite dealer in 2021. Physical characteristics: Single stone, dark green-brown, sandblasted exterior. Sawcut surfaces reveal this meteorite to be a breccia with fragments of fine-grained light colored host rock set darker vesicular melt-rock matrix. Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) Electron microprobe analysis and reflected microscopy of a polished mount show this meteorite to be a polymict lunar melt breccia with an anorthositic troctolite host rock consisting of fine-grained olivine and lesser amounts of pyroxene poikilitically enclosed in plagioclase. The matrix consists of vesicular melt rock. and very fine-grained minerals and rock clasts. Trace amounts of chromite, ilmenite, troilite, and Fe-metal (low Ni) were detected. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Olivine Fa25.4±5.3, Fe/Mn=102±18, n=10; pigeonite Fs16.4±3.6Wo4.5±1.5, Fe/Mn=54±5, n=7; subcalcic augite Fs16.1±5.1Wo30.1±7.7, Fe/Mn=50±2, n=3; plagioclase An96.0±1.7, n=6. Classification: Lunar (polymict anorthositic troctolite melt breccia), nomenclature based on Stoeffler et al. (1980). The Mg# of olivine and An-content of plagioclase of this meteorite are consistent with that of the Apollo Lunar Mg-suite (Warren, 1993). Specimens: 27.6 g on deposit at UNM, Craig Zlimen and Mark Lyon hold the main mass.
History: Purchased by Mark Lyon from a meteorite dealer in northwest Africa in 2020. Physical characteristics: Single stone with minor fusion crust. Petrography: (D. Sheikh, Cascadia) Specimen is a polymict breccia comprised of sub-angular to sub-rounded mm-sized lithic and monomineralic clasts (up to ~3 mm) set within a dark, melt-rich matrix. Lithic clast lithologies identified include: anorthosites, impact-melt-rich clasts, dunites, olivine gabbronorites, norites, and noritic anorthosites. Accessory mineral phases include ilmenite and chromite (some Ti-bearing). Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa33.9±14.4, range Fa5.9-48.4, Fe/Mn=89±12, n=14), Low-Ca Pyroxene (Fs22.6±9.3Wo3.3±0.4, range Fs14.7-40.6Wo2.6-3.9, Fe/Mn=50±5, n=7), Pigeonite (Fs31.3±8.6Wo14.7±5.1, range Fs19.3-50.6Wo7.1-23.4, Fe/Mn=50±4, n=19), High-Ca Pyroxene (Fs25.6±9.2Wo33.0±6.2, range Fs13.3-37.3Wo26.7-41.7, Fe/Mn=47±12, n=5), Calcic Plagioclase (An96.4±0.6, range An95.4-97.8, n=24). Classification: Lunar (melt breccia). Specimens: 20.35 g at Cascadia, main mass with Mark Lyon.
History: Purchased by Mark Lyon in 2022 from an Algerian dealer. Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS and P. Carpenter, WUSL) The specimen is a complex, highly shocked breccia containing mostly feldspathic material (both as lithic clasts and disaggregated debris) but also some mare basaltic material, as well as discrete melt-matrix breccia clasts and glassy clasts with spherulitic quenchiform textures. All constituent plagioclase in the specimen has been converted to maskelynite, and olivine grains exhibit orange colors in thin section. Lithic clasts with intergranular to microgabbroic textures composed of anorthite, pigeonite and olivine, as well as relatively sodic plagioclase (bytownite) mineral clasts, are present and have the attributes of mare basalt lithologies. Accessory phases include kamacite, taenite, troilite, ilmenite, baddeleyite, merrillite and Cr-pleonaste. Some olivine has been altered to chlorite-like phyllosilicates (with low oxide sums and elevated FeO/MnO ratios). Minor secondary barite and calcite veinlets are also present. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa22.9-49.7, FeO/MnO = 79-101, N = 5), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs19.7-30.2Wo4.0-2.7, FeO/MnO = 52-61, N = 2), pigeonite (Fs24.0-29.9Wo8.7-9.5, FeO/MnO = 52-69, N = 2), subcalcic augite (Fs28.7-38.0Wo20.0-21.1; Fs17.7Wo33.9; FeO/MnO = 59-60, N = 3), bytownite (An72.1Or1.8), anorthite (An93.4-97.0Or0.6-0.1, N = 4), Classification: Lunar (mingled feldspathic/basaltic breccia, maskelynite-bearing). Specimens: 22.3 g including one polished thin section and a large polished slice at UWB; remainder with Mr. M. Lyon.
Name
*click on the Name for more information
Structure Class
achondrites
Chemical Class
Lunar
Country
Year found
2000
Mass
152.6 g
[Museum Collection]
(1) 1.85g
History and physical characteristics: One gray-green individual of 152.6 g without fusion crust was discovered by Th. and P. Kurtz of Bartoschewitz natural science expedition team on a gravel plateau about 42 km SSE of Al Ghaba Resthouse (Adam County). Petrography: (R. Bartoschewitz, Bart; P. Appel and B. Mader, Kiel; W. Hsu, PMtOb) Polymict breccias (anorthosite, troctolitic anorthosite, noritic gabbro, and anorthositic gabbro), mineral fragments (anorthite, olivine, and pyroxenes), and glass veins are set in a fine-grained matrix of anorthositic olivine-gabbro composition. Accessoric minerals are kamacite, troilite, chromite, ulvöspinel, spinel, armalcolite, and ilmenite. Mineral compositions and geochemistry: (R. Bartoschewitz, Bart; P. Appel and B. Mader, Kiel; U. Krähenbühl, Bern; R. Niedergesaess, R. Pepelnik, and U. Reus, GKSS) Olivine (Fa26.8±5.2; mg# = 16.2–41.0), pyroxene (Fs25.6±4.7Wo11.0±5.6; mg# = 57–82), plagioclase (An95.8±0.6), metal (Ni = 39–116, Co = 11–5 [both mg/g]). Bulk Al2O3 = 20.4 wt%; FeO + MgO = 16.7 wt%; Th = 0.46; Sm = 1.1 ppm. The bulk FeO/MnO = 70.8, while the ratio in olivine and pyroxene are 83 and 49, respectively. Noble gas isotopes: (J. Park and K. Nagao, UTokE; R. Okazaki, KyuU) No solar gases, and low concentration of radiogenic isotope 4He. Magnetic susceptibility: (R. Bartoschewitz, Bart) log χ = 3.54 × 10−9 m3/kg. Classification: Achondrite (lunar feldspathic regolith breccia). Type specimen: A total of 20 g of sample is on deposit at Kiel. Th. and P. Kurtz hold the main mass. R. Bartoschewitz holds 5.3 g and a thin section.