Carbonaceous Chondrites - NWA 16976 For Sale

NWA 16976 is a carbonaceous chondrite (CK6) that was discovered in Northwest Africa in 2016, and later that year purchased from Saeed Haddany, a Moroccan meteorite dealer. The find had a total mass of 425 grams. Meteorites from this find feature a very dark colored, sandblasted exterior. Cut surfaces reveal scattered chondrules set in a very dark colored groundmass.

What Is A CK6 Meteorite?

Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorite ( g) Slice - NWA #308382

2.55" Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorite (11.02 g) Slice - NWA 16976

$175

What Is A Ck6 Carbonaceous Chondrite?

A CK Chondrite is a type of carbonaceous chondrite classified within the "Karoonda" (CK) group, named after the CK4 chondrite that fell in Karoonda, South Australia, in 1930. CK meteorites are characterized by unique mineralogical features, including high oxidation levels, and are primarily composed of silicate minerals, along with significant amounts of carbon. These meteorites are valuable for studying early solar system processes, particularly due to their distinct mineral composition and oxidized nature.

Here are some defining characteristics of CK meteorites:

High Oxidation State: CK meteorites are some of the most oxidized chondrites, meaning they contain almost no metallic iron. Instead, iron is present in oxidized forms, such as iron oxides or iron-bearing silicate minerals (e.g., olivine and pyroxene). This distinguishes them from most other chondrite types, which often contain metal in reduced, metallic form.

High Content of Refractory Inclusions: CK meteorites often contain a relatively high concentration of refractory inclusions, such as calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs). These inclusions are some of the oldest materials in the solar system, formed in high-temperature environments close to the young Sun and providing clues about early solar system conditions.

Low Metal Content: Due to their highly oxidized state, CK meteorites lack free metallic iron-nickel, which is commonly found in other types of chondrites. This low metal content aligns them more closely with oxidized, differentiated meteorites and asteroids.

Unique Mineral Composition: CK meteorites are rich in silicate minerals, including olivine and pyroxene, as well as carbon in the form of fine-grained graphite or amorphous carbon. This composition suggests that the parent body of CK meteorites likely formed in a region of the solar system with a high degree of oxidation, possibly further out in the asteroid belt.

Petrologic Types: CK meteorites are often found in petrologic types 4-6, indicating varying degrees of thermal metamorphism. CK4 meteorites have experienced mild metamorphism, while CK6 types have been more extensively altered by heat. Unlike some other carbonaceous chondrites, CK meteorites are rarely found in the very primitive type 3 state, likely because their parent body experienced moderate thermal events.

Parent Body and Origin: The parent body of CK meteorites is not definitively known, but their unique oxidation and mineralogical properties suggest that they may have originated from an asteroid that formed further from the Sun, in a part of the solar nebula with abundant oxygen.

Scientific Importance: CK meteorites provide important information on the processes of oxidation and thermal metamorphism in the early solar system. By studying their composition, scientists gain insight into the types of materials present in the early solar system and the environmental conditions on their parent asteroid.