Lut 006        30°14’55"N, 59°18’12"E

Kerman, Iran

Found: 2013 Feb 8

Classification: Ordinary chondrite (LL3)

History: Found during an expedition in the Lut desert of Iran, on sand dunes known to locals as Rig-e Yalan, together with 91 other pieces totaling 2142 g of possibly related meteorites on the same day in a 50 m2 area. Two pieces totaling 20.1 grams and fragments totaling 0.2 g from a single individual were donated to Cascadia on May 1, 2013.

Physical characteristics: Physical: Cut face shows a medium to dark brown interior with numerous distinct chondrules. Only a slight amount of metal and sulfide is visible in hand specimen; more weathered areas are somewhat porous. Exterior is covered by a dark brown weathering patina.

Petrography: (M. Hutson and A. Ruzicka, Cascadia) In thin section the specimen shows tightly packed somewhat oblate chondrules of typical 0.5-1 mm diameter (average 0.8±0.4, N=85 chondrules) with only a little intervening opaque matrix. The matrix is distinctive in containing euhedral to subhedral albite crystals intergrown with Fe-rich olivine. Metal, weathered metal, and sulfide together comprise approx. 4.7 vol% of the thin section. Approximately 60-65% of the metal and troilite in the thin section have been replaced during weathering.

Geochemistry: Compositions of measured phases are variable, and include olivine Fa_23.7±7.0 (median Fa_26.2) (N=35), and low-Ca pyroxene Wo_2.2±1.3Fs_20.3±8.2En_77.4±9.5 (N=18).

Classification: LL3 chondrite implied by metal content and chondrule size. Paired with Lut 005 based on distinctive matrix texture, chemistry, opaque mineral abundance, overall appearance, and find location.

Specimens: 17.0 g in three pieces, 0.2 g of smaller fragments, one polished thin section, and a stub with >0.1 g of mass are on deposit at Cascadia. Mr. Maziar Nazari and Mr. Kiyan Babazadeh hold the main mass (PO Box 17665-414, Tehran, Iran).