[meteorite-list] Question Regarding Lunars

From: Norbert Classen <riffraff_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 20:12:41 +0100
Message-ID: <6C42F2B0A56440BA9406BD22EBC87D41_at_lunatic>

Dear Greg, and All,

The reddish, brown and pinkish colors of these lunars (particullary from
Oman) are from hematite staining, i.e., from terrestrial weathering.
Pristine lunars look more like this:

http://www.meteoris.de/img/ncc-lun/NWA2200-1.388g.jpg

http://www.meteoris.de/img/ncc-lun/Dho910-1.912g.JPG

It seems that especially the lunars with a very long terrestrial residence
time, such as Dhofar 025 which fell more than 400,000 years ago, display the
effects of heavy hematite staining:

http://www.meteoris.de/img/ncc-lun/Dho025-0.352g.JPG

Hope this helps,
Norbert Classen
www.meteoris.de

-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----

List:

I have a question regarding Lunar meteorites.? In many of the pics on
various websites I have noticed a reddish/brown color in the meteorites.? I
figured that most would be more grayish and white.? Is the reddish color
from terrestrial means?? Does it oxidize after landing?? Or is this reddish
color not related to oxidation at all and is the actual color it would be on
the moon?? I would think that there would be no oxidation on the moon or in
space, due to the lack of oxygen.

Shisr161 is an example.

http://www.meteoris.de/img/ncc-lun/Shisr161-2.884g.jpg

I can't get over how 'terrestrial' lunars look.? Who knows... maybe I've
stepped on one without knowing it.

Greg S.
Received on Wed 06 Jan 2010 02:12:41 PM PST