Mars Meteorite - NWA 2986

Classification Details: ( http://tin.er.usgs.gov/meteor/metbull.php?code=33436 )

Northwest Africa 2986
Found in Algeria 2006
Achondrite (Martian Basaltic Shergottite)

History: Partially crusted stones with a total weight of 201 g were purchased in Erfoud, Morocco, in 2006.

Petrography: (T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU): A basaltic shergottite that contains 54 vol.% Ca-pyroxene (pigeonite and augite), 41 vol.% plagioclase (maskelynite) and minor ulvöspinel, ilmenite, merrillite, chlorapatite, pyrrhotite, and K-Si-rich, late stage glasses. Pyroxenes show mottled compositional zoning. Dark, shock pocket glasses and veins are also present. A few melt inclusions of K-Si-rich glass, phosphates, ferroan pigeonite, and ilmenite were found in ulvöspinel.

Geochemistry: Pigeonite Fs_37.4-53.8Wo_10.8-15.8(FeO/MnO = 34); augite Fs_27.8-40.6Wo_33.4-36.0; maskelynite An_54.7Or_1.6.Oxygen isotopes (D. Rumble, CIW): Replicate analyses of acid-washed whole rock samples by laser fluorination gave, respectively d¹⁸O = 4.65, 4.59, 4.45, 4.78, d¹⁷O = 2.73, 2.67, 2.58, 2.80, ?¹⁷O = 0.280, 0.260, 0.240, 0.284 (all permil). Bulk composition (ICPMS, C. Herd, UAlberta): (mean of 2 replicate analyses, in ppm) La 0.97, Ce 2.32, Nd 1.70, Sm 0.71, Eu 0.43, Gd 1.71, Dy 1.12, Yb 0.85, Lu 0.12, Hf 1.07, Ba 21, Cr 646, V 236, Ni 47, Co 29.

Classification: Martian (shergottite) with an "enriched" chondrite-normalized rare earth element pattern, and probably paired with NWA 2975 and related stones. Low weathering grade and a moderate shock level.

Specimens: 21.3 g are on deposit at NAU. M. Farmer and J. Strope are the main mass holders.

Thin Section Photos. First photo shows close-up of the glass veining that is very prevalent in this meteorite. Thin section photos are copyright Tom Phillips may not be used without permission.

Click images to enlarge:

CUT PARTSLICES:

.086 grams. Measures 6.9 mm by 5.4 mm by 1.2 mm thick. The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with dime is for size reference. - SOLD

.138 grams. Measures 7.0 mm by 5.3 mm by 1.7 mm thick. The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with dime is for size reference. - SOLD

.192 grams with fusion crust on top edge as referenced in second photo. Measures 9.2 mm by 5.5 mm by 1.8 mm thick. The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with dime is for size reference. - $275-

.268 grams. Measures 10.0 mm by 9.8 mm by 1.3 mm thick. The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with dime is for size reference. - ON HOLD

.358 grams. Measures 12.9 mm by 9.2 mm by 1.4 mm thick. The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with dime is for size reference. - $535-

.400 grams with fusion crust on top and right sides as referenced in second photo. Measures 10.7 mm by 7.1 mm by 2.5 mm thick. The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with dime is for size reference. - $600-

END CUT:

.846 gram end cut. Measures12.9 mm by 9.3 mm by 5.1 mm thick at widest points. - $1250-

FRAGMENTS:

.368 grams with a small bit of crust. Measures 7.2 mm by 6.7 mm by 5.1 mm at thickest points. - $550-

.442 grams with some crust. 6.8 mm by 6.5 mm by 5.6 mm. - $650-

.868 grams no fusion crust. 9.7 mm by 9.5 mm by 6.5 mm. - $1075-

1.460 grams with some crust. Measures 12.9 mm by 8.8 mm by 8.1 mm. - $2190-

2.240 grams, one side crust. Measures 12.9 mm by 9.9 mm by 9.1 mm. - $3360-

2.290 grams, two sides crust. Measures 12.6 mm by 10.8 mm by 8.6 mm. - $3435-

COMPLETE FUSION CRUSTED INDIVIDUALS:

The first photo shows the specimen in a removable display box. The third photo with a dime is for size reference. This complete specimen of NWA 2986 Mars meteorite weighs .188 grams and has some fusion crust. Measures 6.2 mm by 4.0 mm by 3.9 mm. Measurements were taken at widest point. SOLD

The first photo shows the specimen beside a 1CM cube for size reference. This complete specimen of NWA 2986 Mars meteorite weighs 3.186 grams and has fusion crust as shown in the photos. The surface without the fusion crust reveals the beautiful green crystals of the natural meteorite. Measures 18.5 mm by 12.4 mm by 10.1 mm. Measurements taken at widest point. Comes in removable, membrane suspension box as shown in last photo. $3200-

The first photo shows the specimen beside a 1CM cube for size reference. This complete specimen of NWA 2986 Mars meteorite weighs 3.312 grams and has fusion crust as shown in the photos. The surface without the fusion crust reveals the beautiful green crystals of the natural meteorite. Measures 18.7 mm by 14.5 mm by 10.6 mm. Measurements taken at widest point. Comes in removable, membrane suspension box as shown in last photo. $3300-

This stunningly beautiful complete specimen of NWA 2986 Mars meteorite weighs 21.9 grams and has lots of fusion crust and some flow lines are present. It measures 27.7 mm by 25.8 mm by 19.1 mm. Measurements taken at widest point. It comes in a membrane suspension display box which affords viewing from all angles. This museum quality specimen is priced at $22,000-