kakov
CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite
Dimensions of the slice: 3 x 2 x 0,6 centimeters
Weight: 8,9 grams
Locality: NWA (big deserts of North West Africa)
About CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrites:
This relatively rare METEORITE type is in my opinion one of the most interesting ones. They are almost not altered by heat nor pressure on their parent body (probably an asteroid), nor have they been exposed to water there. Consequently, among all the different types of meteorites, these provide the closest insights into the processes and conditions around the formation of our solar system. (approx. 4600 million years ago).
As per today we do not know certainly the complete story of their formation. Probably the different components we see here were formed freely floating in space and got assembled later to this rock. (Unlike igneous rocks formed on earth, where the different components usually crystalized from the same melt)
The round structures are chondrules, they give the name to the rock. We see different types of those. Probably chondrules were formed from melting of iron silicate dust by a sudden raise of temperature, followed by quick cooling. (Unknown events in the early solar system.)
Then we have some small white irregular refractory inclusions (also called CAIs for ‘Calcium Aluminium rich Inclusions’) that are even older. Because of their very high melting points probably they were not impacted by the chondrule melting events.
Finally, we have the fine-grained substance in between, the matrix. It contains different carbon compounds. According to certain theories the inorganic compounds that arrived to earth in these meteorites may have played a role in the emergence of life on our planet.
***
About the piece on this photo:
I acquired an unprocessed, 24gram piece. It was without any fusion crust and clearly eroded on the surface, as it has been exposed to weathering in the Sahara for many years. (For strict scientific analytical purposes such pieces are biased by possible earthly alterations. Fresh falls are preferred. )
I have sent the piece for slicing and polishing with my specific requirements for direction and thickness. The outcome was satisfactory: Visually the interior looks fresh, with many minute details. On top, the contrast of the dark matrix and the different colours of chondrites give it an esthetical look. (from a purely esthetical viewpoint the petrology of CV3 chondrites with lighter gray matrix as the famous Allende are less pleasant to look at.)
CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite
Dimensions of the slice: 3 x 2 x 0,6 centimeters
Weight: 8,9 grams
Locality: NWA (big deserts of North West Africa)
About CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrites:
This relatively rare METEORITE type is in my opinion one of the most interesting ones. They are almost not altered by heat nor pressure on their parent body (probably an asteroid), nor have they been exposed to water there. Consequently, among all the different types of meteorites, these provide the closest insights into the processes and conditions around the formation of our solar system. (approx. 4600 million years ago).
As per today we do not know certainly the complete story of their formation. Probably the different components we see here were formed freely floating in space and got assembled later to this rock. (Unlike igneous rocks formed on earth, where the different components usually crystalized from the same melt)
The round structures are chondrules, they give the name to the rock. We see different types of those. Probably chondrules were formed from melting of iron silicate dust by a sudden raise of temperature, followed by quick cooling. (Unknown events in the early solar system.)
Then we have some small white irregular refractory inclusions (also called CAIs for ‘Calcium Aluminium rich Inclusions’) that are even older. Because of their very high melting points probably they were not impacted by the chondrule melting events.
Finally, we have the fine-grained substance in between, the matrix. It contains different carbon compounds. According to certain theories the inorganic compounds that arrived to earth in these meteorites may have played a role in the emergence of life on our planet.
***
About the piece on this photo:
I acquired an unprocessed, 24gram piece. It was without any fusion crust and clearly eroded on the surface, as it has been exposed to weathering in the Sahara for many years. (For strict scientific analytical purposes such pieces are biased by possible earthly alterations. Fresh falls are preferred. )
I have sent the piece for slicing and polishing with my specific requirements for direction and thickness. The outcome was satisfactory: Visually the interior looks fresh, with many minute details. On top, the contrast of the dark matrix and the different colours of chondrites give it an esthetical look. (from a purely esthetical viewpoint the petrology of CV3 chondrites with lighter gray matrix as the famous Allende are less pleasant to look at.)