LOS VIENTOS 171 — COMPLETE SLICE OF A METEORITE UNCHANGED SINCE ITS ORIGINS IN THE GASEOUS SOLAR NEBULA - photo 1

LOS VIENTOS 171 — COMPLETE SLICE OF A METEORITE UNCHANGED SINCE ITS ORIGINS IN THE GASEOUS SOLAR NEBULA

Sold
$ 2 016
Auction dateClassic
28.03.2023 11:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 927033
Lot 42 | LOS VIENTOS 171 — COMPLETE SLICE OF A METEORITE UNCHANGED SINCE ITS ORIGINS IN THE GASEOUS SOLAR NEBULA
In 2016 Los Vientos 171 was recovered by Polish meteorite hunters near Antofagasta, Chile in the Atacama Desert. Of the tens of thousands of chondritic meteorites known to exist (meteorites which contain silicate-rich spherules), Los Vientos 171 is a member of a very select club: researchers have determined it belongs to the 3.1 subtype which makes it among the most primitive planetary matter known. Unlike 99.9% of all meteorites, the constituents of this meteorite are almost unchanged — there is just a hint of alteration — since their origin in the early solar nebula when they formed within the cloud from which our solar system sprang. Prior to the discovery of Los Vientos 171, less than 40 kg of similarly primitive planetary material was known to exist. The only material more primitive are subtypes 3.05 and 3.00 — the latter of which is close to perfection…only minimal alteration (see lot 12).

This elongated complete slice is packed with a veritable galaxy of chondrules and other inclusions. It is extremely fresh; very little weathering is in evidence. A warm-hued fusion crust wraps the perimeter. Devoutly sought-after by scientists, such unmetamorphosed, primitive meteorites reveal the raw ingredients of the planets. For the sophisticated collector this specimen is a snapshot of droplets of planetary genesis frozen in time; the earliest stage of solid planet formation.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.

201 x 89 x 2mm (8 x 3.5 x 0.1 in.) and 117.8 grams (0.25 lbs)
Category:Meteorite
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
28.03.2023
27.03.2023
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.