On Offer: 3.03 gram full slice of the rare Martian Augite Basalt Meteorite NWA 16895

Dimensions: 26 mm x 22 mm x 2 mm

Type: Augite Basalt

Origin: MARS

Official name: NWA 16895

Description: 3.03 gram crusted slice of perhaps the rarest martian meteorite ever discovered; NWA 16895 Martian Augite Basalt meteorite. This meteorite represents a unique ejection event on Mars, not related to the SNC group, the martian breccias or any other known martian meteorite. Only 60 grams of this meteorite has ever been recovered and it is perhaps one of the rarest most significant martian meteorite discovered to date. This is a piece of Mars ejected by another meteorite impacting the surface of the Red Planet and hurling it to Earth. Polished on one side.

What you get: 3.03g NWA 16895 Martian Meteorite specimen as shown, Membrane Storage/Display Box, & signed Certificate of Authenticity.

I offer a 100% no questions asked 30 day return policy.

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Northwest Africa 16895

Basic information

Name: Northwest Africa 16895
This is an OFFICIAL meteorite name.
Abbreviation: NWA 16895
Observed fall: No
Year found: 2023
Country: Algeria
Mass: 60 g

Classification
history:

Recommended:

Martian (augite basalt)

This is 1 of 2 approved meteorites classified as Martian (augite basalt).

Comments:

Approved 15 Nov 2024

Writeup

Writeup from MB 113:

Northwest Africa 16895 (NWA 16895)

Algeria

Purchased: 2023 Feb

Classification: Martian meteorite (augite basalt)

History: Purchased jointly by Ahmed Salek and Omar Bourki in February 2023 from a meteorite dealer in Ouargla.

Physical characteristics: The single mass has a dark-gray fusion crust and medium grey interior. No alteration is evident.

Petrography: (C. Herd, UAb) Optical and microprobe examination of a polished thin section shows an ophitic texture with compositionally zoned augite intergrown with euhedral plagioclase and ilmenite. Pyroxene grain size is up to 500 μm in longest dimension; plagioclase is typically 100 μm wide and up to 1000 μm long. Ilmenite is typically 100 μm wide and up to 2000 μm long. Areas of mesostasis on the order of 200-400 μm across are present adjacent to ferroan augite; mesostasis minerals include fayalitic olivine, silica, hedenbergite, sulfide, apatite, ilmenite and baddeleyite. Shock features include plagioclase partially converted to diaplectic glass (maskelynite), mosaicism in pyroxene, melt pockets, and thin melt veins. There is no obvious terrestrial alteration.

Geochemistry: (C. Herd and A. Locock, UAb) Data obtained by EPMA of carbon-coated thin section: all pyroxene Fs_40±16Wo_30±7, FeO/MnO=63±7 (n=25), augite cores Fs_25±2Wo_36±5(n=8), rims adjacent to mesostasis Fs_71±2Wo_21.6±0.8(n=3), plagioclase Ab_19±3An_80±4Or_0.8±0.4, range An_75.3-86.5(n=10). Ilmenite contains up to 1.2 wt% Fe₂O₃ by charge balance.

Classification: Martian (augite basalt). Pyroxene compositions directly overlap with those from other augite basalts such as NWA 7635 and NWA 8159, although plagioclase is more anorthitic and no magnetite was found.

Specimens: Type specimen of 24.7 g plus thin section at UAb, main mass with Ahmed Salek and Omar Bourki.

Data from:
  MB113
  Table 0
  Line 0:

Place of purchase:	Ouargla
Date:	P 2023 Feb
Mass (g):	60
Pieces:	1
Class:	Martian (augite basalt)
Shock stage:	M-S3
Weathering grade:	low
Classifier:	C. Herd, UAb
Type spec mass (g):	24.7
Type spec location:	UAb
Main mass:	Ahmed Salek, Omar Bourki
Comments:	Field number K31; submitted by C. Herd