Details
An Admire Meteorite Nodule
Discovered Lyon County, Kansas, 1881
This specimen shows the green-to-brown clumps of olivine which are embedded in a metallic iron-nickel mass. The specimen’s torn shape is evocative of the violent history of its parent asteroid, which was torn apart 100 million years ago.
2¾ x 2¼ x 1½in. (7 x 6 x 4cm.)
211.2g.
Brought to you by

Lot Essay

Admire is a pallasite formed at the core-mantle boundary of an asteroid that melted about 4.5 billion years ago. Deep inside the asteroid, molten metal from the top of the core mixed with olivine grains (a magnesium-rich silicate mineral) that had crystallized from the mantle and were pulled downwards, towards the core, by the body’s modest gravity. Things remained quiet for Admire until a major collision shattered the asteroid roughly 100 million years ago; this event and subsequent, less energetic collisions set some of the pallasites on a collision course with Earth. The first piece of Admire to be found was ploughed up in Lyon County, Kansas in 1881.

Click here to learn more about the science and history of meteorites.

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
Deep Impact: Martian, Lunar and other Rare Meteorites
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report