Northwest Africa 13005 (NWA 13005)

Morocco

Purchased: 2019 Jan

Classification: Iron meteorite (IIIAB)

History: Purchased in January 2019 via the internet from Moroccan dealer Lahcen ait Ha, who found the meteorite in Morocco.

Physical characteristics: The meteorite is irregularly shaped, and measures approximately 8 cm × 10 cm × 5 cm. It has a dark brown outer surface, with minor rust spots.

Petrography: (C. Herd, UAb) Optical investigation of a ~3.5 × 2.5 cm polished and etched slice reveals a well-developed Widmanstatten pattern consistent with a medium octahedrite (1.01 ± 0.25 mm; n=21). Several mm-scale lath-shaped schreibersite inclusions are present. Terrestrial alteration appears to have only affected the exterior surface.

Geochemistry: ICP-MS data, using sample of North Chile (Filomena) as standard (C. Herd and G. Chen UAb): Ni = 8.5, Co = 0.49 (both wt%); Ir = 0.13, Ga = 22, As = 12.7, W = 0.4, Ru = 2.7, Rh = 1.1, Pd = 4.0, Os = 0.34, Pt = 4.7, Cu = 127, Au = 1.5 (all μg/g).

Classification: (C. Herd, UAb): IIIAB iron, medium octahedrite.

Specimens: Type specimen consisting of a 22.2 g representative slice at UAb. Main mass with Craig Zlimen.