This somewhat oblong stone exhibits atypical surface features including vesicles and an especially large iron clast that is partially embedded in—and runs parallel to—the meteorite’s surface. The crust has a hue of a frothy frozen cappuccino; as a result of the melt structure, it appears to be dripping down the mass. Impact melt breccias are among the most texturally diverse meteorites. It is the result of the variables of impact events including the materials doing the impacting, the speed and angle of the projectile, the amount and the flow of the melted target, and the size, shape and abundance of the unmelted inclusions. This is a fascinating representation.
71 x 48 x 41 mm. (2.75 x 2 x 1.66 in.)

250 g. (0.5 lbs.)

Similar to the previous lot. While H-melt breccias are extremely rare, the next two lots provide further insight into the rigors to which meteorites are subjected on the part of the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society. These meteorites do not yet have a name: the scientists on the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society have yet to agree on one. Not only do they check their colleagues’ research on new meteorites—they also name them. These specimens have been confirmed as meteorites and will soon be listed in the Meteoritical Bulletin. Recovered in the African nation of Niger, these meteorites are part of the same meteorite shower. The notion was advanced that as it was reported exactly where these meteorites were recovered, they should be provided a proper name and not just the name of a large collection area followed by a number. The benchmark for providing a proper name, however, requires the substantiation of the circumstances of a meteorite’s recovery—and while this information has been provided to the Nomenclature Committee, it is currently being verified.

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.