Tafassasset Achondrite Meteorites for Sale
Basic Information
Location: Tenere desert,
Niger (undisclosed location until 2005 February 14)
Found: 2000 February 14
Type: Carbonaceous chondrite (equilibrated
CR-like meteorite) or primitive achondrite
Description from Meteoritical Bulletin No. 86:
Twenty-six pieces with a total weight of ~110 kg
were found by Bernard Dejonghe on an ancient alluvial plain. The
two largest weigh ~30 kg each. Twenty stones were found on a trip
in early 2000, and six more in 2001 March. The geographic
coordinates of these meteorites are being withheld by the finder
for three years. Classification (M. Bourot-Denise, MNHNP):
Fa29.3, pyroxene Fs24.3; ~30 vol% millimeter-sized relic
chondrules are clearly visible in backscattered electron images.
Textures and relative abundances of the phases vary considerably.
The dominant lithology has a coarse grain size. It consists of
olivine (poikilitically enclosed within A176 Russell et al.
pyroxenes in the relic chondrules), a small amount of
plagioclase, 10% metal in rounded or oval-shaped grains often
edged by chromite, and minor sulphides in small grains. The
interchondrule matrix consists of subhedral crystals of olivine
embedded in plagioclase and within anhedral crystals of chromite
and phosphate that are up to 1 mm in size. Two distinct
plagioclase compositions are present: An46.4Or2.2 in the matrix
and An26.6Or5.2 in chondrule relics. A second lithology is finer
grained and porous, without large metal grains but with fairly
abundant sulphide grains. The large metal grains are composed of
kamacite (6% Ni, 0.6% Co) and martensite (12% Ni, 0.4% Co). Some
smaller metal grains associated with sulphides are made up of
taenite (up to 36% Ni, 0.2% Co) with martensite cores. The
sulphide is troilite (Cr 0.02ñ0.08%), with some grains
containing inclusions of Cu-bearing pentlandite. See also
Bourot-Denise et al. (2002). Bulk chemistry (J. Zipfel and
B. Spettel, MPI; H. Palme, Köln): refractory
lithophiles fractionated compared to a typical CR composition,
leading to possible classification as a primitive achondrite
(Zipfel et al., 2002). Oxygen isotopes (M. Javoy, IPGP):
•17O = +0.18 ± 0.08â, •18O = +2.94 ± 0.2â.
Weathering grade, W0/1; shock stage, unknown. Specimens: type
specimen, 396 g plus five polished sections, MNHNP; main
mass partly left in Niger, partly with the finder.
A 3.61 kg stone, labeled "Te-1", was
found in 2000 March, probably on the same expedition noted above,
and is reported by J. Otto (Frei) to have been found in
the Tenere Desert at 20º45.8' N, 10º26.5' E, and is probably
paired with Tafassasset. Classification (J. Otto and A. Ruh, Frei):
a primitive achondrite; partly covered with black fusion crust;
shows a recrystallization texture with abundant 120º triple
junctions dominated by olivine (56 vol%, 100ñ700 µm, Fa28.7,
0.06 wt% CaO) and poikilitic orthopyroxene (23 vol%, up to 3 mm,
Fs25.4Wo3.6) with exsolved clinopyroxene (Fs12.7Wo39.7); Fe-Ni
metal is irregularly distributed (~10 vol%, up to 5 mm);
poikilitic plagioclase occurs in interstices (6.5 vol%,
An38.5Or3.7); troilite (~3.5 vol%, 0.01 wt% Ni); chromite (~1
vol%, Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.817, Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.818). Oxygen
isotopes (R. Clayton and T. Mayeda, UChi): •17O =
ñ0.85â, •18O = +1.70â, different from other achondrites.
Noble gases (L. Schultz, MPI): data compatible with those
of brachinites; exposure age is ~45 Ma. Shock stage, S1/2;
weathering grade, W0. Specimens: main mass with Christian
Stehlin, Basel; type specimen, 30.2 g and thin section, Frei.
Cube is one centimeter
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| #TAF-372 |
#TAF1-624 |
#TAF1-988 |
#TAF4-7 |
#TAF2-088 |
| Weight: 0.372gm |
Weight: 1.624 gm |
Weight: 1.988 gm |
Weight:4.7 gm |
Weight: 2.088 gm |
| Features: Part slice |
Features: Part slice |
Features: Part slice |
Features: Part slice |
Features: Part slice |
| Price: sold |
Price: sold |
Price: sold |
Price: sold |
Price: sold |
Click here to put your selection
on our order form.
Cube is one centimeter
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| #TAF3-468 |
#TAF81-0 |
| Weight: 3.468 gm |
Weight: 81-0 gm |
| Features: Part slice |
Features: Part slice |
| Price: sold |
Price: $3500 |
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on our order form.
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