Iron Meteorite Ungrouped – IR-UNGRSahara Desert / North West Africa

This is a complete slice of an extremely exotic iron meteorite. The typical crystalline latticework associated with most iron meteorites is absent. Unique kamacitic spindles and crosses accent the cut surface. The different alloys in the metallic matrix are fine grained. Small troilite inclusions are scattered throughout. The meteorite’s natural external surface runs the length of its rim. Modern cutting.
117 x 221 x 2 mm. (4.66 x 8.75 x 0.1 in.)

307.4 g. (0.66 lbs.)

Found in the Sahara Desert by Berber nomads in 2008, NWA 6932 is an extremely unusual iron meteorite. This complete slice was cut from the single 32kg. mass recovered. NWA 6932 is one of the few plessitic iron meteorites on record (it contains only fine grains of the chief iron alloys found in iron meteorites). Moreover, in the words of Dr. John Wasson, the world’s foremost expert in iron meteorites, “This meteorite has no close compositional relatives.” As it does not fit into any of the established chemical groups, this meteorite has been classified as belonging to an esteemed group of nonconformists: it is “ungrouped.” In effect, this meteorite originates from an asteroid that was previously unknown.

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.