PALM-SIZED END PIECE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE ASTEROID VESTA — A PAIRING WITH NWA 12342 - photo 1
PALM-SIZED END PIECE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE ASTEROID VESTA — A PAIRING WITH NWA 12342 - photo 2

PALM-SIZED END PIECE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE ASTEROID VESTA — A PAIRING WITH NWA 12342

Lot 11
23.02.2021 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 4 750
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 491221
Lot 11 | PALM-SIZED END PIECE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE ASTEROID VESTA — A PAIRING WITH NWA 12342
Estimate value
$ 1 200 – 1 800
Eucrite melt breccias are rare. There are less than 40 on record and this offering contains two of the best examples: NWA 11329, which is the largest transitional eucrite breccia (see lot 65) on record, and the current offering which is part of the NWA 12342 event. This specimen is one of the relatively few meteorites with a known return address; it originates from the asteroid Vesta located between Mars and Jupiter. The second largest asteroid in our solar system, Vesta is the only large asteroid with a basalt-covered surface. In addition, data transmitted from NASA’s Dawn spacecraft, which orbited Vesta in 2011-12, provided reams of further evidence supporting the notion of Vestan origin. The delivery mechanism to Earth required Vesta’s collision with another asteroid, launching material off its surface into interplanetary space and ultimately into an Earth-crossing orbit.

The exterior surface of this specimen is rounded and smooth; at the top of the specimen, a notable hole with a 16-mm diameter is perched (and it should be noted that holes are exceedingly rare in stone meteorites). Impact melt penetrates and courses through the khaki-hued matrix. The cut and polished surface reveals more of the same in finer resolution as the ability to discern mineral grains is now in evidence. The lower right of the cut face consists of a large pocket of graphite-hued crystallized impact melt. Two parallel veins of melt run on either side of the hole. Testament to the cataclysmic force of an asteroid impact onto the surface of the asteroid Vesta, this is a select example of a fascinating 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.


79 x 65 x 17mm (3 x 2.5 x 0.66 in.) and 62.1g
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
09.02.2021 – 23.02.2021
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

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.