Ensemble de météorites carbonées rares - CV3, CK3 et CR2 - 26 g

Offered for sale is a set of four carbonaceous chondrites:

NWA 11343 (CV3): 10 grammes. This CV3 meteorite was found in 2015 and officially classified in 2017. The total approved mass is only 559 grammes, distributed among 53 pièces, making this a relatively limited CV3 material. The meteorite was purchased from a Moroccan dealer and subsequently acquired by Geoffrey Notkin of Aerolite Meteorites, who holds the main mass.

Erg Chech 003 (CR2): 7 grammes (very small fragments, in a cylindrical flask) + 2,41 grammes (3 small fragments, in a small round box).

NWA 16003 (CK3): 3,28 grammes. The Cr2O3 contents of magnetites are intermediate between the accepted ranges for CVox3 chondrites and CK3 chondrites. The presence of unusual polymineralic clasts not present in either of those meteorite groups is noteworthy. This material is almost certainly paired with NWA 16009 based on the very similar textures, mineral compositions and especially the presence of unusual, texturally and mineralogically very distinctive polymineralic clasts.

NWA 14596 (CK3): 3,70 grammes. Cut surfaces show a gray matrix bearing large chondrules and some CAIs. In thin section, chondrules (15 vol%), calcium aluminum-rich inclusions (15 vol%) and amoeboid olivine aggregates (5 vol%) all bear dark fine-grained rims, well spaced in a dark fragmental matrix. Chondrules of dominantly POP, BO types average 910±424 µm (n=24) diameter, and typically have igneous rims. Several round dark inclusions ranging from 150 to 800 µm are also present, bearing fine magnetite-rich rims. Olivine in chondrules and matrix shows sharp to undulatory extinction. Olivine in the matrix appears pitted with cloudy cores. No metal is present. Spongy textured magnetite occurs as small grains, isolated spherical aggregates in matrix and as grains in rim material and inclusions within chondrules. Troilite appears on some chondrule rims and as blocky isolated grains in the matrix. In BSE images, chondrule olivine grains are typically zoned to Fe-rich rims.

I am a member of the Meteoritical Society (#7743) and the Global Meteorite Association (#G0129) have been collecting meteorites for more than 16 years.