ID 716441
Lot 56 | NEIL BUCKLAND COSMIC MICROSCAPE — THE LUNAR METEORITE NWA 12691
Estimate value
$ 3 000 – 6 000
NWA 12691 is a lunar meteorite. The predominant mineral grains (grays and whites) in this cross-polarized (XPL90) image are calcium-rich plagioclase of a variety called anorthite; pyroxene and olivine (colored grains) also occur as well as very small grains of opaque iron-rich oxides. This rock is a breccia, meaning that it was broken up and mixed by multiple ancient impacts of small asteroids onto the surface of the Moon. Several thin, “wispy” veinlets of calcite are of terrestrial origin, precipitated from infiltrating groundwater as this specimen lay partially buried in the Sahara Desert.
A 12-color archival pigment on 100% cotton rag. Coated with a satin acrylic finish, the print is frameless, glassless and mounted on a birch wood panel. The panel is signed and numbered — limited edition 7 of 9 — on the reverse.
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.
40 x 40 in. (101.6 x 101.6cm)
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
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| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |



