Sample No.: RKPA79001

Location: Reckling Peak

Field No.: 1200

Weight (gms): 3006.0

Meteorite Type: L6 Chondrite

Physical Description: Carol Schwarz

A small amount of ice was noticed when this meteorite was unpacked. This is not a complete specimen. Thin shiny black fusion crust appears as small patches on each surface. The rest of the surfaces are fractured and rough and yellowish-brown in color. Chondrules can be distinguished, most are small and tan in color but the largest one seen is 6 mm in diameter. Several indentations in the surfaces indicate chondrules may have been plucked out. There is a vein (1-3 mm wide) of dark material on one, surface, probably indicating weathering along a fracture. Fractures are numerous, making the meteorite friable. A small amount of white powder deposit is visible on the fusion crust. The interior matrix is light gray to yellow in color. No metal is visible, oxidation exists as haloes. Gray and cream-colored chondrules ~2 mm in diameter were exposed. RKPA79001 and RKPA79002 may be pieces of a single meteorite. Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 8 cm.

Petrographic Description: Brian Mason

Chondrules are sparse and poorly defined, tending to merge with the granular groundmass, which consists of olivine and pyroxene with minor amounts of maskelynite, nickel-iron, and troilite. There is a minor amount of limonitic staining around the nickel-iron grains. Microprobe analyses show olivine (Fa₂₄) and orthopyroxene (Fs₂₀) of uniform composition; the maskelynite has CaO content (2.2%) appropriate to oligoclase composition, but has deficient and variable Na₂O content (4.3-5.2%). The meteorite is classified as an L6 chondrite. It resembles RKPA78001 and 78003 in all respects, and may be another stone from a single fall.