SNC – Nakhlite Northwest Africa

Details

Martian meteorite NWA 6148
SNC – Nakhlite
Northwest Africa
The complete slice of Martian meteorite with a rarely seen green hued colour. Modern cutting.
42 x 34 x 3mm (1½ x ¾ x 1/8in.)
10.0g

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

This Martian meteorite consists of millimeter-size, compositionally zoned grains of abundant Ca pyroxene and minor olivine surrounded by a glass containing small spiky grains of additional minerals. The large grains formed during slow cooling in a magma chamber; the small grains and glass cooled rapidly during a volcanic eruption. This specimen is among the rarest samples on Earth; only 0.02% of known meteorites are nakhlites. The sample’s surface has been ablated by wind; little fusion crust remains.

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