[meteorite-list] re-Classified - NWA 4472 KREEP-rich Basaltic Breccia

From: Greg Hupe <gmhupe_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:01:05 -0500
Message-ID: <05da01c74003$2562a5d0$2d49b848_at_Gregor>

Dear List of Lunar Lovers,

It is my pleasure to announce that NWA 4472 and its recent pairing have been
re-classified as "KREEP-rich Basaltic Breccia". Congratulations to all who
have purchased this exciting material. The new classification is far more
rare than the previously assigned class. Here is my revised description I
use for eBay sales of NWA 4472:

>>
NWA 4472 Lunar KREEP-rich Basaltic Breccia Meteorite




... NWA 4472, a new and very unique Lunar KREEP-rich Basaltic Breccia
meteorite. It has the very rare minerals tranquillityite and zircon, along
with rare granophyric clasts known in some Apollo 14 breccias.
Tranquillityite was first identified in the interstitial, last crystallizing
regions (mesostasis) of Apollo 11 mare basalts. The Total Known Weight of
NWA 4472 is just 64.3 grams in a single stone! Although another 188 gram
stone surfaced and was determined to be paired to NWA 4472, it is an
extremely rare and collectible meteorite that is closely related to the
unobtainable SAU 169 Lunar KREEP-rich meteorite from Oman.



Link to 35.3 gram Main Mass Image:

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/nwa4472mainmass1.jpg



Here is some specific information prepared by scientists at the University
of Washington:

================================================================================

NWA 4472

Lunar KREEP-rich Basaltic Breccia

Purchased Morocco 2006



Breccia consisting of clasts and mineral debris derived from KREEP-rich
basalts and related granophyric rocks. The basalt clasts are composed of
pigeonite, olivine, calcic plagioclase, ilmenite, Ti-chromite, baddeleyite,
Na-Mg-bearing merrillite and troilite; FeO/MnO ratios measured for the mafic
silicates are within the ranges for lunar rocks. The granitic clasts
consist of ribbon-like intergrowths of a silica polymorph (probably
tridymite) with potassium feldspar (probably sanidine) and accessory
baddeleyite, zircon and rare tranquillityite (a Ti-Fe-Zr-silicate first
described in mesostasis regions of Apollo 11 mare basalts). Similar
granophyric clasts are present in some Apollo 14 breccias. This specimen
also contains scattered clasts of silica (more than in any other lunar
meteorite specimen we have examined), fayalite (intergrown with silica),
baddeleyite, zircon, ilmenite (with baddeleyite inclusions), Ni-bearing
metal and schreibersite (the last two possibly from exotic impactors).

=================================================================================



Here are some false-color back-scattered electron images of clasts in NWA
4472:



"Granophyric" clast composed of ribbon-like intergrowth of silica (blue) and
K-feldspar (green).

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/ts1.jpg



"Granophyric" intergrowth clasts (blue and green), pyroxene (red) and
troilite+metal (white).

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/ts2.jpg



"Granophyric" intergrowth clast (blue and green).

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/ts3.jpg



Fayalite-rich clast (yellow) associated with silica+K-feldspar intergrowth,
troilite, merrillite, pigeonite and glass.

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/ts4.jpg



Small glass sphere, probably impact melt droplet (diagonal line are
polishing scratches).

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/ts5.jpg



Glassy clast with fine quench crystals.

http://www.lunarrock.com/nwa4472/ts6.jpg



Link to list of Lunar meteorites - Washington University in St. Louis:

http://meteorites.wustl.edu/lunar/moon_meteorites_list_alumina.htm



Additional studies currently being performed at several institutions
include; bulk chemical analyses, cosmic ray and terrestrial age
determinations, along with a whole host of other scientific analysis, which
may reveal additional secrets hidden within this unusual lunar meteorite.
NWA 4472 is of considerable scientific interest because the relatively
abundant sanidine containing potassium that decays to argon, and
zirconium-rich minerals, which always contain uranium that decays to lead.
These minerals will permit very precise age dating of NWA 4472.
<<

Best regards,
Greg

====================
Greg Hupe
The Hupe Collection
NaturesVault (eBay)
gmhupe at tampabay.rr.com
www.LunarRock.com
IMCA 3163
====================
Received on Wed 24 Jan 2007 05:01:05 PM PST