20.74g ERG ATOUILA 003 Primitive Achondrite Ungrouped
On Offer: 20.74 gram slice of the ungrouped primitive achondrite Erg Atouila 003. An exceptional and intriguing ungrouped primitive meteorite specimen from an unknown partially differentiated parent body.
Dimensions: 75.5mm x 65.5mm x 2.3mm
Official Name: Erg Atouila 003
Abbreviation: EA 003
Classification: Primitive Achondrite Ungrouped
Excerpt from the MetBul classification; "Primitive achondrite, ungrouped. This material is more feldspar-rich than acapulcoites and contains plagioclase that is much more sodic. Although found in close proximity to the Erg Atouila 001 stones and possessing some similarities to them, this material differs significantly in terms of its texture and mineralogy. In comparison to Erg Atouila 001 (see Meteoritical Bulletin entry and Irving A. et. al., 2022. Lunar Planet. Sci. LIII, #2059), the mineral assemblage has about half as much albitic plagioclase, and contains low-Ca pyroxene and more Ni-rich metal (both of which have not been reported in Erg Atouila 001). The mafic mineral compositions are also somewhat more magnesian than those in Erg Atouila 001 (e.g., olivine is more magnesian by up to 6 mole% Fa)."
In my opinion this is among the most interesting and unique of the newly emerging ungrouped primitive achondrites. These types of primitive achondrites are helping us understand the dynamics of early accretion, and differentiation processes in the early solar system.
Year found: 2022
Country: Mali
Description: Amazing slice of an amazing Achondrite-prim-ung meteorite with official name Erg Atouila 003. Polished on one side.
What you get: 20.74 gram Erg Atouila 003 specimen as shown, shipping/storage membrane box, and signed Certificate of Authenticity.
We offer a 100% no questions asked 30 day return policy.
| Erg Atouila 003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Basic information |
Name: Erg Atouila 003 This is an OFFICIAL meteorite name. Abbreviation: EA 003 Observed fall: No Year found: 2022 Country: Mali Mass:  1442 g |
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| Classification history: |
This is 1 of 7 approved meteorites classified as Achondrite-prim-ung. |
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| Comments: | Approved 4 Mar 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Writeup |
Writeup from MB 112:
Erg Atouila 003 (EA 003) ~22.490°N, ~4.552°W Gao, Mali Purchased: 2022 Jan Classification: Ungrouped primitive achondrite History: Five stones were found by an anonymous prospector in Mali in August 2021 in close proximity to the first specimen of the Erg Atouila 001 ungrouped achondrite. Specific distances of the find sites relative to the Erg Atouila stone are 40, 100, 150, 700, and 900 m. The stones were purchased from the finder by Said Yousfi in January 2022. Physical characteristics: The five stones (1152, 84.8, 72.9, 71.4, and 52.6 g: total 1442 g) are all visually similar, but different from the more pale colored Erg Atouila 001 material. Exterior surfaces are light brown with black patches, whereas broken interior surfaces are more beige in color and polycrystalline with a vitreous luster. No fusion crust is apparent. Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS and P. Carpenter, WUSL) All five stones have triple grain junction metamorphic texture (mean grainsize ~250 µm). All are composed predominantly of albite (~50 vol.%) with subordinate low-Ca pyroxene, olivine and diopside plus accessory ilmenite (containing rare baddeleyite inclusions), chromite (with variable Ti content), merrillite, apatite (halogen-bearing), troilite, and ~5 vol% of metal (kamacite and taenite). Most apatite contains only F, whereas some contains minor Cl as well. Geochemistry: Electron microprobe analyses were conducted on polished pieces of each of the five stones. Albite (Ab90.4-91.7An4.1-3.2Or4.7-5.8, N = 6), olivine (Fa23.6-27.3, FeO/MnO = 22-25, N = 7), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs20.2-22.7Wo1.4-1.8, FeO/MnO = 14-15, N = 5), diopside (Fs7.1-8.2Wo45.6-44.1, FeO/MnO = 9-12, N = 7). Oxygen isotopes (K. Ziegler, UNM): analyses of acid-washed subsamples by laser fluorination gave, respectively, δ17O=2.420, 2.439, 1.864; δ18O=6.372, 6.313, 5.334; Δ17O=-0.944, -0.894, -0.952 ‰ (all data linearized, TFL slope = 0.528). Classification: Primitive achondrite, ungrouped. This material is more feldspar-rich than acapulcoites and contains plagioclase that is much more sodic. Although found in close proximity to the Erg Atouila 001 stones and possessing some similarities to them, this material differs significantly in terms of its texture and mineralogy. In comparison to Erg Atouila 001 (see Meteoritical Bulletin entry and Irving A. et. al., 2022. Lunar Planet. Sci. LIII, #2059), the mineral assemblage has about half as much albitic plagioclase, and contains low-Ca pyroxene and more Ni-rich metal (both of which have not been reported in Erg Atouila 001). The mafic mineral compositions are also somewhat more magnesian than those in Erg Atouila 001 (e.g., olivine is more magnesian by up to 6 mole% Fa). Specimens: 20.4 g including two polished mounts at UWB; remainder with Mr. S. Yousfi. |
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| Data from: MB112 Table 0 Line 0: |
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| Plots: | O isotopes: |
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| Institutions and collections |
UNM: Institute of Meteoritics MSC03 2050 University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM 87131-1126 USA, United States; Website (institutional address; updated 12 Feb 2015) UWS: University of Washington, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, 70 Johnson Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, United States (institutional address; updated 15 Jan 2012) WUSL: Washington Univ., One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States (institutional address; updated 17 Oct 2011) UWB: University of Washington, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Box 353010 Seattle, WA 98195, United States (institutional address; updated 9 Oct 2023) |
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