Reviews
1.01" Polished Lunar Meteorite (.97 g) Slice - Aridal 017
This is a 1.01" wide (.97 gram) slice of the Lunar meteorite Aridal 017, found in 2016. The meteorite has been cut into a thin slice and polished to a matte finish on one side. Comes with an acrylic display case.
The Aridal 017 Lunar Meteorite
The Aridal 017 Lunar meteorite, classified as a feldspathic breccia, was discovered in sandy soil in the Rio de Oro region of Western Sahara, Morocco. It was collected just several meters from the find site of Northwest Africa 10608, and is likely paired with that earlier discovery made by desert truffle hunters. The stone was later purchased by Dr. David D. Gregory in September 2016 from a Moroccan dealer at the Denver Show. It consists of a single grayish specimen weighing 590 grams, notable for lacking a fusion crust but displaying a glossy external patina. Its fresh interior reveals small whitish clasts set within a dark-gray matrix.
Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for Lunar Meteorite Aridal 017
The Aridal 017 Lunar meteorite, classified as a feldspathic breccia, was discovered in sandy soil in the Rio de Oro region of Western Sahara, Morocco. It was collected just several meters from the find site of Northwest Africa 10608, and is likely paired with that earlier discovery made by desert truffle hunters. The stone was later purchased by Dr. David D. Gregory in September 2016 from a Moroccan dealer at the Denver Show. It consists of a single grayish specimen weighing 590 grams, notable for lacking a fusion crust but displaying a glossy external patina. Its fresh interior reveals small whitish clasts set within a dark-gray matrix.
Meteoritical Bulletin: Entry for Lunar Meteorite Aridal 017
Moon Rocks... On Earth...
Think the only moon rocks on Earth are samples brought back from Apollo missions? Think again!
Lunar meteorites are type of achondrite meteorites that were formed like other stony (chondrite) meteorites, but they were ejected into space by meteorites and other celestial bodies hitting the moon. Almost all lunar meteorites are brecciated amalgamations of feldspathic and basaltic rocks commonly found on the Moon's surface.
Lunar meteorites are pretty rare to find on Earth: the vast majority of meteorites are from the asteroid belt, and less than 1 percent of classified meteorites are lunar in origin. The total mass of all known lunar meteorites is probably less than 1,000 kilograms. Owning a piece of the moon is a pretty rare accomplishment!
One reason they are so rare is because lunar meteorites superficially look just like earth rocks. Even a true meteorite expert would not recognize a lunar meteor laying on the ground among earthly stones. Lunar meteorites have only been recognized in places naturally devoid of rocks, like sandy deserts and ice sheets. In fact, there has never been a lunar meteorite classified from North America, South America or Europe. Most are found in the Sahara Desert (Northwest Africa), Antarctica, or Oman. All Antarctic meteorites are governmental property so they cannot be privately attained.
Think the only moon rocks on Earth are samples brought back from Apollo missions? Think again!
Lunar meteorites are type of achondrite meteorites that were formed like other stony (chondrite) meteorites, but they were ejected into space by meteorites and other celestial bodies hitting the moon. Almost all lunar meteorites are brecciated amalgamations of feldspathic and basaltic rocks commonly found on the Moon's surface.
Lunar meteorites are pretty rare to find on Earth: the vast majority of meteorites are from the asteroid belt, and less than 1 percent of classified meteorites are lunar in origin. The total mass of all known lunar meteorites is probably less than 1,000 kilograms. Owning a piece of the moon is a pretty rare accomplishment!
One reason they are so rare is because lunar meteorites superficially look just like earth rocks. Even a true meteorite expert would not recognize a lunar meteor laying on the ground among earthly stones. Lunar meteorites have only been recognized in places naturally devoid of rocks, like sandy deserts and ice sheets. In fact, there has never been a lunar meteorite classified from North America, South America or Europe. Most are found in the Sahara Desert (Northwest Africa), Antarctica, or Oman. All Antarctic meteorites are governmental property so they cannot be privately attained.
$75
TYPE
Lunar Meteorite (Feldspathic Breccia)
AGE
LOCATION
Rio de Oro Region, Western Sahara, Morocco
SIZE
1.01 x .59 x .05", Weight: .97 grams
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#355984
