kasbah.jpg (6568 bytes) Northwest Africa 2986

a piece of Mars from the Sahara Desert

 

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 Fs37.4-53.8Wo10.8-15.8 (FeO/MnO = 34); augite Fs27.8-40.6Wo33.4-36.0; maskelynite An54.7Or1.6. 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.

nwa2986ts1.jpg (140716 bytes)  nwa2986ts2.jpg (102847 bytes)  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.

 

Each specimen comes complete with a certificate of authenticity and product ID card.

 

Click images to enlarge:

CUT PARTSLICES:

nwa2986086a.jpg (71822 bytes)  nwa2986086b.jpg (96486 bytes)  nwa2986086c.JPG (146240 bytes)   .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

 

nwa2986138a.JPG (75434 bytes)  nwa2986138b.jpg (90244 bytes)  nwa2986138c.JPG (160007 bytes)  .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

 

nwa2986192a.JPG (95184 bytes)  nwa2986192b.jpg (77553 bytes)  nwa2986192c.JPG (115652 bytes)  .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-

 

nwa2986268a.JPG (75412 bytes)  nwa2986268b.jpg (165784 bytes)  nwa2986268c.JPG (136847 bytes)  .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

 

nwa2986358a.JPG (71858 bytes)  nwa2986358b.jpg (136116 bytes)  nwa2986358c.JPG (141455 bytes)  .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-

 

nwa2986400a.JPG (74118 bytes)  nwa2986400b.jpg (108461 bytes)  nwa2986400c.jpg (149385 bytes)  .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:

nwa2986846a.JPG (200324 bytes)  nwa2986846b.JPG (113739 bytes)  nwa2986846c.JPG (113549 bytes)  .846 gram end cut.  Measures12.9 mm by 9.3 mm by 5.1 mm thick at widest points. - $1250-

 

 

FRAGMENTS:

nwa2986368a.JPG (55728 bytes)  nwa2986368b.JPG (65646 bytes)  nwa2986368c.jpg (88730 bytes)   .368 grams with a small bit of crust.  Measures 7.2 mm by 6.7 mm by 5.1 mm at thickest points. - $550-

 

nwa2986442a.JPG (64145 bytes)  nwa2986442b.JPG (58549 bytes)  nwa2986442c.jpg (98731 bytes)   .442 grams with some crust.  6.8 mm by 6.5 mm by 5.6 mm. - $650-

 

nwa2986868a.JPG (78459 bytes)  nwa2986868b.JPG (68367 bytes)  nwa2986868c.jpg (94167 bytes)  .868 grams no fusion crust.  9.7 mm by 9.5 mm by 6.5 mm. - $1075-

 

nwa29861460a.JPG (86619 bytes)  nwa29861460b.JPG (87665 bytes)  nwa29861460c.JPG (61543 bytes)  nwa29861460d.jpg (92711 bytes)  1.460 grams with some crust.  Measures 12.9 mm by 8.8 mm by 8.1 mm. - $2190-

 

nwa29862240a.JPG (114767 bytes)  nwa29862240b.JPG (110295 bytes)  nwa29862240c.JPG (105209 bytes)  nwa29862240d.JPG (75967 bytes)  nwa29862240e.JPG (88267 bytes)  2.240 grams, one side crust.  Measures 12.9 mm by 9.9 mm by 9.1 mm. - $3360-

 

nwa29862290a.JPG (89035 bytes)  nwa29862290b.JPG (64711 bytes)  nwa29862290c.JPG (126877 bytes)  nwa29862290d.JPG (80883 bytes)  nwa29862290e.JPG (102909 bytes)  2.290 grams, two sides crust.  Measures 12.6 mm by 10.8 mm by 8.6 mm. - $3435-

 

 

COMPLETE FUSION CRUSTED INDIVIDUALS:

nwa2986188a.JPG (58375 bytes)  nwa2986188b.jpg (37455 bytes)  nwa2986188c.JPG (113236 bytes)  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

 

nwa29863186a.JPG (166660 bytes)  nwa29863186b.JPG (240885 bytes)  nwa29863186c.JPG (268198 bytes)  nwa29863186d.JPG (165683 bytes)  nwa29863186e.JPG (153643 bytes)  membranebox.jpg (27540 bytes)  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-

 

nwa29863312a.JPG (100262 bytes)  nwa29863312b.JPG (179396 bytes)  nwa29863312c.JPG (275186 bytes)  nwa29863312d.JPG (200811 bytes)  nwa29863312e.JPG (225565 bytes)  membranebox.jpg (27540 bytes)  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-

 

nwa2986219a.JPG (324249 bytes)  nwa2986219b.JPG (320914 bytes)  nwa2986219c.JPG (300534 bytes)  nwa2986219d.JPG (240646 bytes)  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-

 

Each specimen comes with a Photographic Certificate of Authenticity and ID card.

http://www.catchafallingstar.com/images/ebay/nwa2986cert.jpg (65625 bytes)   Sample of Certificate of Authenticity.

http://www.catchafallingstar.com/images/ebay/nwa2986card.jpg (60236 bytes)   Sample of ID card.

 

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All photos and text are copyright and may not be used without permission.

All photos and text are copyright and may not be used without permission.