Lot 810* - A207 Out of This World - Monday, 04. December 2023, 04.00 PM
‘STARRY NIGHT SKY’ LUNAR METEORITE
NWA 13951
Sahara Desert
45.87 g
12 × 9 cm (not including stand)
Sahara Desert
45.87 g
12 × 9 cm (not including stand)
The start of this lunar meteorite’s journey to Earth was likely the result of a massive meteor strike on the moon’s surface, creating one of the craters we see on the moon today. Ejected from the surface of the moon by this initial strike, it was left to float freely in space. Eventually, this mass intersected with Earth's own orbit, and its surface was heated to 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit on entry, then rapidly cooled in the frigid temperatures of Earth's upper atmosphere, and gradually slowed to approximately 200 miles per hour on its final descent. It would have lit up the Saharan sky while hurtling down to its site of discovery, where it was found in two pieces by nomadic tribespeople in 2021.
Nicknamed the ‘Starry Night Sky’ lunar meteorite, it reveals a dark brecciated interior, indicating that it is composed mainly of rare lunar regolith clasts, which come from the outer layer of the moon’s surface. The plentiful flecks of iron in the breccia are most likely remnants from previous iron meteorite impacts on the moon. These are embedded in a partially melted matrix, which makes the slice look like staring into the Milky Way on a dark night. The composition of the stone indicates that it most likely originated in the Lunar Highlands.
This slice of 45.87 grams was cut from the main mass of the meteorite. Beautifully mounted on an elegant metal stand.
Nicknamed the ‘Starry Night Sky’ lunar meteorite, it reveals a dark brecciated interior, indicating that it is composed mainly of rare lunar regolith clasts, which come from the outer layer of the moon’s surface. The plentiful flecks of iron in the breccia are most likely remnants from previous iron meteorite impacts on the moon. These are embedded in a partially melted matrix, which makes the slice look like staring into the Milky Way on a dark night. The composition of the stone indicates that it most likely originated in the Lunar Highlands.
This slice of 45.87 grams was cut from the main mass of the meteorite. Beautifully mounted on an elegant metal stand.
To see this Object in a Video, click here
CHF 1 500 / 3 000 | (€ 1 550 / 3 090)
Sold for CHF 6 250 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.