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3.85" Polished Ghubara Meteorite Slice (152.7 g) - Oman
This is a 3.85" wide (152.7 gram) stony (chondrite) meteorite from a 1954 fall in Ghubrah, Oman. This was the first meteorite ever discovered in Oman. The total weight is not known, but could be as much as 1.75 tons. Portions of Ghubara are studied at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
This is classified as an L5 chondrite, since slicing reveals L5 clasts in an L3 host. Alternatively, it could also be classified as an L3 meteorite with L5 xenoliths. It is a regolith breccia that formed on the surface of its parent body before being ejected by an impact around 500 million years ago.
This piece has been cut flat and polished on one side, revealing the reflective inner metallic inclusions.
This is classified as an L5 chondrite, since slicing reveals L5 clasts in an L3 host. Alternatively, it could also be classified as an L3 meteorite with L5 xenoliths. It is a regolith breccia that formed on the surface of its parent body before being ejected by an impact around 500 million years ago.
This piece has been cut flat and polished on one side, revealing the reflective inner metallic inclusions.
About Chondrites
A chondrite is a stony (non-metallic) meteorite that has not been modified by either melting or differentiation of the parent body. Chondrites are formed when various types of dust and small grains in the early Solar System accreted to form primitive asteroids. Some such bodies are captured in the planet’s gravity well and pulled to the surface. They are by far the most common type of meteorite, representing about 86 percent of all meteorites that have fallen to Earth.
Prominent among the components present in chondrites are the enigmatic chondrules, millimeter-sized spherical objects that originated as freely floating, molten or partially molten droplets in space; most chondrules are rich in the silicate minerals olivine and pyroxene. Chondrites also contain particles of various metals such as nickel, iron, and aluminum. These formed at the very beginning of the solar system and aggregated over time: they are the oldest rocks known on Earth!
Chondrites are divided into about fifteen distinct groups on the basis of their mineralogy, bulk chemical composition, and oxygen isotope compositions. The various chondrite groups likely originated on separate asteroids or groups of related asteroids. Each chondrite group has a distinctive mixture of chondrules, refractory inclusions, matrix (dust), characteristic chondrule sizes, and other components. Other ways of classifying chondrites include weathering and shock. The L chondrite group is the most common of these.
A chondrite is a stony (non-metallic) meteorite that has not been modified by either melting or differentiation of the parent body. Chondrites are formed when various types of dust and small grains in the early Solar System accreted to form primitive asteroids. Some such bodies are captured in the planet’s gravity well and pulled to the surface. They are by far the most common type of meteorite, representing about 86 percent of all meteorites that have fallen to Earth.
Prominent among the components present in chondrites are the enigmatic chondrules, millimeter-sized spherical objects that originated as freely floating, molten or partially molten droplets in space; most chondrules are rich in the silicate minerals olivine and pyroxene. Chondrites also contain particles of various metals such as nickel, iron, and aluminum. These formed at the very beginning of the solar system and aggregated over time: they are the oldest rocks known on Earth!
Chondrites are divided into about fifteen distinct groups on the basis of their mineralogy, bulk chemical composition, and oxygen isotope compositions. The various chondrite groups likely originated on separate asteroids or groups of related asteroids. Each chondrite group has a distinctive mixture of chondrules, refractory inclusions, matrix (dust), characteristic chondrule sizes, and other components. Other ways of classifying chondrites include weathering and shock. The L chondrite group is the most common of these.
TYPE
Ordinary Chondrite (L5), black, xenolithic
LOCATION
Oman
SIZE
3.85 x 3.75", .25" thick, 152.7 grams
CATEGORY
ITEM
#247049
