NWA 8402 – COMPLETE SLICE OF A MESOSIDERITIC METEORITE - photo 1

NWA 8402 – COMPLETE SLICE OF A MESOSIDERITIC METEORITE

Lot 23
28.03.2023 11:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 1 512
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 927014
Lot 23 | NWA 8402 – COMPLETE SLICE OF A MESOSIDERITIC METEORITE
Estimate value
$ 2 500 – 3 500
Mesosiderites are among the most complex meteorites known. They are comprised of roughly half metal and half silicates and, along with pallasites, form the hybrid Stony-Iron class of meteorites. The origin of mesosiderites has baffled investigators for decades. Their most likely genesis is the result of an ancient impact of a metallic asteroid core onto the surface of a basalt-covered asteroid. The remains of the metallic asteroid are the large, rounded metal nodules and small crushed metallic grains seen. The prominent dark clasts are the silicates from the crust of the target asteroid. Impact-melting along grain boundaries fused the disparate pieces together to produce this otherworldly exquisite mosaic.

NWA 8402 was discovered in the Sahara in 2014. Most of the metal occurs in millimeter-size globules although small grains are present throughout the sample; there is a relatively high abundance of plagioclase and olivine crystals provide further accenting. This is one of the very few specimens of what a most-captivating meteorite.

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.

191 x 223 x 2mm (7.5 x 8.75 x 0.1 in.) and 338.3 grams (0.75 lbs)
Category:Meteorite
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
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28.03.2023
27.03.2023
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
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