ORIENTED IMILAC METEORITE WITH FUSION CRUST - photo 1
ORIENTED IMILAC METEORITE WITH FUSION CRUST - photo 2

ORIENTED IMILAC METEORITE WITH FUSION CRUST

Lot 58
28.03.2023 11:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 16 380
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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Archive
ID 927049
Lot 58 | ORIENTED IMILAC METEORITE WITH FUSION CRUST
Estimate value
$ 16 000 – 24 000
Every notable meteorite collection throughout the world contains a sample of Imilac as it is the quintessence of a pallasite — it belongs to the handful that are the gold standard — and yet possibly no collection features a specimen like the Imilac now offered.

Pallasites are exceedingly rare and are widely considered the most beautiful extraterrestrial substance known. However, this appellation applies only to the those pallasites that possess translucent olivine, and it’s worth noting many do not. More to the point, most samples of Imilac do not. While numerous masses of Imilac have been cut, the typical Imilac meteorite recoveries are small metallic skeletal shards either with occluded olivine or most often entirely bereft of olivine.

As regards those specimens suitable for slicing, the surface of the vast majority are jagged, oxidized encrusted masses which underwent extensive weathering as a result of exposure to Earth’s elements — primarily water. To the untrained eye, few would pay these rocks much heed.

Given the amount of terrestrialization of the vast majority of Imilac specimens, one would not expect to see Imilac meteorites with fusion crust; indeed, it is extremely uncommon. The meteorite currently offered, however, is largely blanketed with fusion crust. And not only does it have fusion crust, it also features the aerodynamic thumbprint-like artifact known as regmaglypts. Both features are artifacts of frictional heating during its plunge through the Earth’s upper atmosphere where this meteorite reached a surface temperature as high as 3100°F; (steel melts at 2400°F). The surficial melting of this meteorite resulted in the sculpting now seen.

In addition, unlike 99% of all meteorites, this meteorite did not spin or tumble as it penetrated Earth’s upper atmosphere and is referred to as being oriented. As a result of the mass being fortuitously distributed as well as its angle of atmospheric entry, the same axis of orientation was maintained throughout its nose-dive earthward. The rear of the meteorite is largely flat and an elevated rim from where molten material annealed is in evidence. Apart from terrestrial tinting, this is largely what the meteorite looked like when it impacted Earth. Had its shape changed on Earth, like the Gibeon and Henbury meteorites (lots 15 and 51) in this offering, there would be no fusion crust to see.

Parenthetically, meteorites are only warm to the touch upon impact as the surface heating is overwhelmed by the chill of the entire mass having been in the -450°F freezer of interplanetary space. (Think fried ice cream.) Moreover, when the meteorite hits terminal velocity during its final descent and it’s in freefall, a nice breeze helps to cool off the surface.

With aerodynamic thumbprints, patches of fusion crust on its face and an ablation lip on the reverse — with crystals of peridot and olivine projecting from both sides — now offered is the rarest of the rare. While Imilac is highly prized, there are almost no other specimens akin to this example. Accompanied by a custom magnetic armature, here is an offering for meteorite cognoscenti.

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.

94 x 57 x 16mm (3.75 x 2.25 x 0.66 in.) and 261.9 grams (0.5 lbs)
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
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