Hi Mark and List
I can't say it better than it has, but what I can say to those who question
NWA 869 as being an interesting meteorite, you have to experience it first
hand. No picture will give you the one to one comparison you need to compare
with other varieties that this find as produced.
I've made and sold a few thin sections of NWA 869, and they are all fun to
explore. You see all kinds of chondrules, and a mix of matrix types.
Since its still an inexpensive stone, buy from a couple different dealers,
cut some slices, polish them a little to knock down saw marks, break out the
lens and just explore. You won't see better in any picture anywhere and you
can then draw your own conclusions.
Mark Ferguson, not to be confused with MarkF or MarkB, as I'm not as
knowledgable as they.
----- Original Message -----
From: "MARK BOSTICK" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] NWA 869
Hello Jeff and list,
(Sent only to the list as Jeff requested...)
Mike noted: "NWA 869 is found in Algeria, there to my knowledge, is over
2000 kilograms of it!"
2000 kg. is if anything....a low number. I would be surprized it the
total weight was not twice that, if not 5000 kg. We did not see this the
last year, but the two Tucson shows before this year, there were a dozen
Moroccan dealers with 100's of kg. for sale.
I have sold over 150 kg. I bet Dean has moved a ton or more....literally.
It is not a garbage can meteorite. It is very easy to identify and one of
the best looking meteorites from Africa. The garbage can comment
originated from an upset dealer being somewhat misleading.
"It was a fragmental breccia, probably
L4-6. A thin section of L5 material gave Fa24.2, S3, W1."
I agree with Rubin's classification information. I think it should be
noted as an L5. The lighters parts of the meteorite do not show nice
abundent chondrules in a thin section from what I have seen. (To make the
L3.8 as some have been selling it.) Despite what it looks like in a hand
specimen. The darker parts of the meteorite is a shocked portion of the
lighter part.
The breccia I think is the red inclusions. I have several pieces here
that show the sometimes large red matrix melted faster in the atmosphere
then the other matrix. I will try to post some photos of this later if I
have time. (Things are still a little crazy around here.)
Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
www.meteoritearticles.com
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