Carbonaceous – CV3 Chihuahua, Mexico (26°58' N, 105°19' W)

Lot Description:
Wrapped in an edge of fusion crust, signature dark chondrules and light-colored CAIs (calcium-aluminum inclusions) are highly evident along with a galaxy of other inclusions including an extremely prominent and rare “dark inclusion” — and all are suspended in the sample’s charcoal-hued carbonaceous matrix. This is a select complete slice of a meteorite that contains some of the oldest matter one can touch. Modern cutting.

144 x 123 x 3mm (5.66 x 4.75 x 0.1 in.)
123.1g (0.25 lb)

Allende is the most studied meteorite in the world. Thousands of scientific papers have been written about this meteorite and its components. Rare by virtue of its carbonaceous-chondrite classification, samples of the Allende meteorite shower of February 8, 1969 contain isotopes scientists believe were created during the explosion of a supernova prior to the formation of our solar system. Several new minerals have been discovered in Allende including a titanium oxide named panguite after the ancient Chinese god Pan Gu, the creator of the world who separated yin from yang, the earth from the sky. The white CAIs seen here are thought to be the first substances formed in the gaseous nebula from which our solar system originated. In effect, these inclusions are aggregates of true "stardust“ — and Allende is among the very few meteorites to contain such particles.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.