Daoura 002        29º41.7171N, 3º03.3523W

Bechar, Algeria

Find, possible fall: 23 Feb 2020

Classification: Ordinary chondrite (H6)

History: The samples were reported to have fallen outside the Algerian city of Tabelbala on February 23, 2020, after sunset. Nomads in the desert saw a purple and yellow fireball heading east to west, ~40 km from the neighboring villages of Beni Abbas and Tabelbala. Hunters were able to collect ~70 kg of the sample from high dunes as the black fusion crust made it easy to identify on the horizon. Didi Baidari purchased samples from a prospector.

Physical characteristics: Samples are coated in a fresh black, flow-lined fusion crust which is up to 1mm thick in some parts of the sample. The interior is light grey and crystalline.

Petrography: (Description and Classification A. Love, App) Sample shows a recrystallized chondritic texture composed of indistinct chondrules with an average diameter of 480 µm (n=27) and ~12 vol% void space. Average grain size of secondary plagioclase grains is 77 µm (n=23). Additional minerals are: high-Ca pyroxene, chromite, troilite, FeNi metals (6.26 vol%, n=6) and Cl-apatite.

Geochemistry: (A. Love, App) Olivine (Fa_18.9±0.2, Fe/Mn=36.1±1.2, n=10); low-Ca Pyroxene (Fs_17.3±0.3Wo_1.6±0.1, Fe/Mn=22.3±0.5, n=10); plagioclase (An_12.0±0.3Or_4.8±0.7, n=5).

Classification: Ordinary chondrite (H6, C-S2, W0). Based on chondrule size, magnetic susceptibility, mineral compositions, textures and size of secondary plagioclase, abundance of FeNi metal this sample is an H6.

Specimens: Didi Baidari holds the 441 g. A total of 55 kg of the sample is held between two anonymous owners. The remaining material is held my nomads who found the meteorite. Two fusion crusted fragments weighing 20.96 g and a polished thin section and mount are on deposit at App.