Northwest Africa 13879 (NWA 13879)

Morocco

Purchased: 2021

Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite (CVred3)

History: (C. Muñecas, Expometeoritos) A batch consisting of 13 pieces of various sizes was found by a nomad in a place in northwest Africa of unknown coordinates. All meteorites were purchased by Carlos Muñecas in Errachidia. Meteorites have different sizes ranging from a few grams to the main mass of 448 g.

Physical characteristics: Samples have dark gray-brown exteriors and are ellipsoidal in shape. The cut face shows the interior has a chondritic texture composed of abundant dark and light-colored, ellipsoidal chondrules and CAIs (that define a preferred orientation) set within a dark colored matrix with sulfides.

Petrography: Description and classification (A. Love, App) Sample shows chondritic texture with a prominent alignment of flattened chondrules (aspect ratio 1.3±0.2, pre-deformed avg diam. 653 µm, n=30) and CAIs set in 29 vol% opaque matrix. Isotropic glass is rare. Additional minerals are: chromite, fine-grained FeNi metal often associated with troilite, magnetite, and rare phosphates.

Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa_11.9±14.5 (Fa_0.4-40.5), Fe/Mn=42.6±32.2, n=14); low-Ca pyroxene (Fs_1.4±1.0 Wo_2.0±0.3 (Fs_0.7-3.6Wo_0.6-2.3), n=8); Sulfides contain 0.16±0.14 wt% Ni, n=12.

Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite (CVred3). Based on textures, mineral compositions, magnetic susceptibility and lack of Ni in sulfides, sample is a reduced CV3.

Specimens: Carlos Muñecas (Expometeoritos) holds the 448 g main mass. A polished thin section and a 35.09 g endcut are on deposit at App.