Northwest Africa 2269

Found 2002 March

Carbonaceous chondrite (CV3)

The meteorite, found by Nomads near Tindouf (southwest Algeria) weighs 184 g and is completely covered by a fusion crust. Mineralogy and the classification (A. Seddiki, UO/UJM, B. Moine, J.Y. Cottin, UJM; M. Denise, MNHNP). Chondrules are less than 2 mm in diameter and are poorly abundant (<20%). CAIs (Anorthite, Spinel and melilite) are different sizes and up to 1cm. The fine-grained matrix is very abundant. Chondrules consist of non-equilibrated porphyric olivine (Fa_0.7-Fa₂₈), or Opx (Fs_0.91), glass, magnetite, pentlandite and a few rare spherules of iron metal in the olivine crystals. Anorthite occurs in the center part of some opx chondrules (An₈₅ Ab₁₆), associated to the fassaïte (Fs₀₈ Wo₄₄) and hedenbergite (Fs₄₂ Wo₅₀).  In the matrix the olivine is Fa_55-91. Specimens: type specimen, 23.6 g, MNHNP; plus 4 g and thin sections, UJM, main mass with finders.