Tichiya 003        24°21.473’N, 13°53.259’W

Rio de Oro, Western Sahara

Find: 2020 Nov 14

Classification: Lunar meteorite

History: The samples were found by Zaid Oualguirah in Western Sahara on November 14, 2020.

Physical characteristics: Exterior of the sample is light-orangish gray in color and shows voids, some of which are circular in profile. The cut face shows the interior is darker gray and shows a brecciated texture.

Petrography: escription and Classification (A. Love, App) Sample is a breccia composed of dispersed small (avg. L.D. 283 µm, n=47) lithic and mineral clasts set within a partly vesicular, devitrified glassy impact melt rock matrix. Lithic clasts are poikilitic-textured troctolites. Mineral clasts are dominantly anorthite with minor olivine, some of which is zoned. Definitive vesicles were absent in the thin section. Additional minerals are: chromite, ilmenite, secondary barite and calcite.

Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa_30.2±2.7, Fe/Mn=78.7±4.5, n=10); plagioclase (An_97.8±0.3Or_0.0, n=10).

Classification: Lunar (feldspathic melt breccia) Based on plagioclase composition and textures sample is a lunar achondrite. Melt rock matrix and shock effects in clasts indicate sample is a melt rock matrix breccia.

Specimens: Jean Redelsperger holds the 260 g main mass. Zaid Oualguirah holds 311 g. An individual weighing 20.75 g and a polished thin section are on deposit at App.