[meteorite-list] AD-NWA 8059 unequilibrated chondrite of unequaled freshness

From: Gary Fujihara <fujmon_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:35:07 -1000
Message-ID: <2AFFEDCE-73DF-4E3A-9BC9-1DB46EC42922_at_mac.com>

Aloha meteorite lovers,

The Big Kahuna would like to announce NWA 8059. A single, fusion crusted 54g stone was found in the hot deserts of North West Africa in August 2013 and purchased the following month. This meteorite is an exquisite unequilibrated chondrite consisting of closely-packed, mostly medium-sized chondrules. Olivine exhibits a moderate range in fayalite content (Fa0.4-39.4), but based on multiple analyses the ferroan olivines are distinctly enriched in Cr2O3 (0.13-0.69 wt.%, mean 0.43 wt.%, s.d. 0.14 wt.%, N = 22). Other minerals are orthopyroxene (Fs1.1-42.8Wo1.1-0.9), pigeonite (Fs13.2Wo19.2), subcalcic augite (Fs10.4Wo27.9), sodic plagioclase, chromite, stained kamacite and troilite. On the basis of the distribution of chromium in ferroan olivines, this specimen meets the Grossman and Brearley (2005) criteria for a Type 3.00 ordinary chondrite. The oxygen isotope data for NWA 8059 are much closer to the Terrestrial Fractionation Line (TFL) than even H chondrites. Carl Agee and Karen Ziegler of the University of Ne
w Mexico Institute of Meteoritics are discovering that low type 3's have oxygen isotopes all over the map. They have observed this in L3.00 NWA 7731 and 8276. Many data points plotted near the TFL and scattered elsewhere. Semarkona LL3.00 has this too. Therefore, scientists cannot use the traditional OC trends for deciding H,L,LL in these UOC. The best way is to record many apparent chondrule size measurements to get the mean value, or use the traditional bulk iron content analysis. So anomalous these meteorites can't be determined with oxygen isotopes. Informal magnetic susceptibility tests indicate that NWA 8059 is an L chondrite. Besides Semarkona, NWA 8059 is without a doubt the freshest 3.00 available to the collector and scientific communities. Meteorite comes in a quality labeled display box for protection and years of viewing pleasure, along with a Big Kahuna Meteorites Certificate of Authenticity / Identification card and would make a splendid addition to any collection.

http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/NWA8059.html

Mahalo for your consideration and have a wonderful day!

Gary Fujihara
Big Kahuna Meteorites Inc.
PO Box 4175, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 640-9161
http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/
http://www.ebay.com/sch/fujmon/m.html
Received on Tue 15 Jul 2014 01:35:07 PM PDT