Monthly Favourite Meteorite (NWA 2892)

NWA 2892

NWA 2892 was discovered in the Sahara Desert, Africa during 2004. A single stone weighing a mere 104g was found and has since been classified as a very rare transitional H/L3 Chondrite. This meteorite has a Shock Rating of 3 and a Weathering Level of 3. Later in 2006, another stone weighing 75g was also discovered.

Clearly, this meteorite is unusual with its sea of closely knit small chondrules along side the other much larger ones (Macrochondrules). In fact the largest in this specimen is also the largest of any in the Meteorites Australia Collection, measuring a massive 1.35cm x 1.1cm at widest points. This slice is only 3mm thick and curiously this macrochondrule is not visible on the reverse side. Another extraordinary chondrule present in this slice is observable in the top right of the first image. It is an elliptical macrochondrule of which about 40% is missing. By extrapolating the shape, the dimensions are approximately 3.5mm x 7.5mm giving it a ratio of about 2.15:1.

It is under magnification that the true nature and beauty of this meteorite comes out! The most noticeable oddity is the complete lack of a matrix as there is nothing between the chondrules and they seem to occur "wall-to-wall"! Not only that, but it seems the chondrules were plastic (changing/developing) when they merged to form this peculiar meteoritic body. Many of the chondrules have formed to fit like a jigsaw puzzle with the others surrounding it which is most likely why there does not appear to be any matrix present. A truly unique meteorite! This specimen is part of the Meteorites Australia Collection (MA.05.0069).

NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 9.84g Complete Slice. (MA.05.0069)
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NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 9.84g Complete Slice. (MA.05.0069) - Macrochondrule.
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NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 9.84g Complete Slice. (MA.05.0069) - Close-up of chondrules.
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NWA 2892 (H/L3) 8.80g Endcut
NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 8.80g Endcut. (MA.06.0027)

NWA 2892 (H/L3) 5.52g Complete Slice
NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 5.52g Complete Slice. (MA.06.0028)

NWA 2892 (H/L3) 4.80g Complete Slice
NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 4.80g Complete Slice. (MA.06.0029)

NWA 2892 (H/L3) 4.45g Complete Slice
NWA 2892 (H/L3) - 4.45g Complete Slice. (MA.06.0030)

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NWA 2892 (H/L3)
NWA 2892 (H/L3)
NWA 2892 (H/L3)

NWA 2892 (H/L3)
NWA 2892 (H/L3)

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High Resolution For Printing
Approx. Printed Image Size: 8" x 4.5"
Resolution: 300 DPI
File Size: 3.46MB
Copyright � 2005 Meteorites Australia
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