Eucrite melt breccia The Sahara Desert

This part slice originates from an 18 kilogram mass which, prior to cutting, was one of the larger eucrites on Earth. It originated as part of a basalt flow on or near the surface of the second largest asteroid in the solar system, Vesta (diameter 525 km). Scientists believe eucrites came from Vesta because it is the only large asteroid with a basalt-covered surface. Spectroscopic analysis and further data transmitted from NASA’s Dawn spacecraft, which orbited Vesta in 2011-12 supports the conclusion of Vestan origin. The delivery mechanism to Earth was the result of another asteroid having slammed into Vesta, launching material off its surface into interplanetary space, eventually finding its way into an Earth-crossing orbit. What makes this specimen so special is that it reveals the transition between pure impact melt and the brecciated components. Had this meteorite been cut along its perpendicular axis, this transition would never have been seen.

This polished slice is cut on three edges and features inclusions of orthopyroxene along with plagioclase, chromite and ilmenite within a fine-grained, melt-textured matrix. To dramatic effect, this specimen reveals the gradation between regions of brecciation and impact melt — the result of a massive collision on its parent asteroid in interplanetary space.

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


134 x 89 x 3mm (5.25 x 3.5 x 0.1 in) and 147.5g (0.33 lbs)