Northwest Africa 16369 (NWA 16369)

(Northwest Africa)

Purchased: 2023

Classification: Ordinary chondrite (L5)

History: Acquired by Daniel Sheikh in 2022 from a meteorite dealer in Morocco; later purchased in 2023 by Michael Kelly.

Physical characteristics: Single stone, approximately 90% covered with black fusion crust with thin contraction cracks. Remaining areas are naturally broken corners and small windows, some of which have secondary fusion crust. Freshly broken corners expose numerous dark gray chondrules in a light gray matrix. No visible shock veins observed on the exterior surface nor cut face.

Petrography: (M. Kelly, Palladium Astromaterials; D. Sheikh, Cascadia) Sample represents an equilibrated ordinary chondrite displaying a texture consistent with type 5 as it contains secondary recrystallized feldspar (~25 μm). It shows a moderate amount of shock with observable planar fractures in olivine. Accessory phases identified include Fe-Ni metal, chromite, and troilite. Variable chondrule textural types were identified, including PO, PP, POP, and BO (some chondrules display observable coarse igneous rims).

Geochemistry: (D. Sheikh, Cascadia) Olivine (Fa_25.6±0.2, range Fa_25.1-26.3, n=24); Low-Ca Pyroxene (Fs_21.5±0.2Wo_2.0±0.2, range Fs_21.3-21.9Wo_1.6-2.3, n=19).

Classification: Ordinary chondrite (L5).

Specimens: 21 g type specimen at Cascadia, 374.8 g main mass with Michael Kelly.