A PIECE OF THE MOON — NWA 10626

Moon rocks are among the rarest substances on Earth, and now offered is a sample of a Moon rock ejected from the lunar surface as a result of an asteroid impact. Moon rocks are identified by specific textural, mineralogical, chemical and radiation signatures. There are less than 200 kg of lunar meteorites known to exist and a significant fraction is controlled by governmental institutions. Many of the common minerals found on Earth’s surface are rare on the Moon and some lunar minerals are unknown on Earth. In addition, Moon rocks contain gases captured from the solar wind with isotope ratios very different from the same gases found on Earth. While Apollo astronauts returned with less than 400kg. of Moon rocks, not one milligram is available for private ownership. The amount of the Moon that is not institutionally controlled and available to the private sector might fill a single oversized suitcase. As one would expect, many of the Apollo mission samples returned to Earth are nearly identical to lunar meteorites. This specimen was recovered in the Sahara Desert and originates from an 1849g. specimen.

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 note.