ONE OF EARTH'S MORE RECENT ARRIVALS — INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED IN CUT AND POLISHED ABA PANU METEORITE - photo 1

ONE OF EARTH'S MORE RECENT ARRIVALS — INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED IN CUT AND POLISHED ABA PANU METEORITE

Lot 42
25.08.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Starting price
$ 12 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 389986
Lot 42 | ONE OF EARTH'S MORE RECENT ARRIVALS — INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED IN CUT AND POLISHED ABA PANU METEORITE
Estimate value
$ 12 000 – 18 000
Lot Description:
This meteorite’s captivating broad cut face has a high polish. A galaxy of various inclusions and metallic flakes are seen suspended in the gray matrix. The fractured surface has a dappling of fusion crust — the result of atmospheric frictional heating just prior to achieving terminal velocity as its journey from the asteroid belt was about to conclude. Like nearly all Aba Panu meteorites, there is scant fusion crust, but patches are in evidence. Lot 41 was cut from this mass and, fortuitously, it was decided the remaining portion of this meteorite should be preserved to produce this choice presentation. Modern cutting. Accompanied by a custom base and armature.
193 x 155 x 8mm (7.66 x 6 x 3.5 in.)
3.017kg (6.66 lbs)

Three different surface presentations are seen: a cut and polished face, an area where the meteorite experienced fragmentation in the atmosphere and the ablated exterior on the reverse. Similar to the previous lot, at 2:02 pm on April 19, 2018 a large fireball detonated 100 miles north of Lagos, Nigeria. The meteorite was named Aba Panu for the village near the center of the strewn field, and the Nigerian government collected the majority of the meteorites recovered. Aba Panu is an exceedingly hard stone meteorite which results in the superior high polish seen on its cut face. The matrix fascinates as it contains different types of clasts ranging from the extremely primitive to the greatly metamorphosed. Aba Panu meteorites are known for being rounded with undeveloped regmaglypts and largely bereft of fusion crust — and this is an archetypal example. Aba Panu is a primitive chondrite, which is to say the majority is largely unmetamorphosed (unchanged) from the time it formed; in effect, what is seen here approximates the raw ingredients of our planets.

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

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
12.08.2020 – 25.08.2020
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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