Important Natural History Auction 2017-07-30
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/29/2017
EXCEPTIONAL NEW LUNAR SLICE
Rabt Sbayta 006 - Lunar (feldspathic breccia)
This spectacular slice is from a newly discovered lunar meteorite, amongst the rarest of all meteorites, blasted from the highlands of the moon. Discovered only in 2016 in a strewnfield near Gataa Sfar in the Western Sahara in a main mass of just under 6 kg, it is so fresh that there are barely any records for it, although it is known to be a feldspathic impact breccia, meaning that it is a sample of lunar soil formed by the accumulation of different types of rock from meteorite impact ejecta, and possible vulcanism which occurred very early in the Moon's history. Aside from its scientific significance, this is a highly aesthetic specimen, with a fantastic pattern of clades and small amounts of pyroxene and olivine, of gently curving form with attractive natural apertures and a complete rind of fusion crust, measuring 5 7/8 inches wide and weighing approximately 63 grams.
$18,000 - 22,000\n