Nova 073

Wyoming, United States

Find: 1968

Classification: Iron meteorite (IAB-MG)

History: Originally found by Laramie-based geologist Gary Johnson in 1968 in the far western, middle part of Wyoming. Gifted to Mrs. Angela Huffer, who contacted Sean Tutorow in 2021 to assist in identification.

Physical characteristics: A single, irregular mass with a dark brown to orange surface.

Petrography: (C. Herd, UAb) Optical investigation of a 2.5 × 3 cm polished and etched surface reveals a well-developed Widmanstatten pattern consistent with coarse octahedrite (1.7±0.6 mm; n=13). Schreibersite inclusions are present, parallel to kamacite lamellae. A weathering rind of up to 5 mm thick is present, and alteration extends along fractures into the interior.

Geochemistry: ICP-MS data, using sample of North Chile (Filomena) as standard (C. Herd and S. DuFrane, UAb): Ni = 69.6, Co = 4.84 (both mg/g); Ir = 2.1, Ga = 99.8, Ge = 355, As = 15.7, Sb = 0.288, Sn = 5.1, Ru = 5.6, Pd = 3.6, Re = 0.194, W = 2.0, Pt = 6.7, Cu = 136, Au = 1.9 (all µg/g).

Classification: (C. Herd, UAb): IAB Main Group iron, coarse octahedrite.

Specimens: Type specimen of 37.7 g at UAb, 223 g with Tutorow, main mass with Angela Huffer.