The Meteorites
Meteorites are named for the nearest town where they fall, and receive official names once they have been scientifically classified. Until they have a full classification, however, they are referred to by recovery date, but often have an unofficial nickname as well. Find out more about some of our favourite meteorites below.
Northwest africa 15189
Northwest Africa (NWA) 15189 was officially classified as a polymict eucrite in August 2022 following thorough analysis by the Space Rocks UK team, Jen Mitchell, Cesca Willcocks, and Natasha Stephen.
This meteorite contains three different types of eucrite material, each recording a different magmatic history. The matrix is very fine grained and has lots of pockets of quenched melt.
The total mass is 513 g and the type specimen weight is 22 g, held at Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre. The main mass is held by Gemma Thomas, aka Meteorite Girl UK.Â
MetBull entry: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=77834
Northwest africa 6414
Northwest Africa (NWA) 6414 was officially classified as a polymict eucrite at the end of October 2021 following new analysis led by Jen Mitchell in conjunction with data from the original submitter, Dr Albert Jambon.
This meteorite is composed of chunks of multiple different types of rock which record a range of igneous and impact processes on asteroid Vesta. Even if it looks confusing at first, these type of meteorites can reveal huge swathes of information about parent body processes.
The total mass is 434 g and the type specimen weight is 23.9 g, held at the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.Â
MetBull entry: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=52657
Winchcombe
Winchcombe is now officially classified as a CM2 carbonaceous chondrite.Â
Described as dark gray-to-black stones and powder, the largest stone is completely fusion-crusted but split into two pieces (49g and 103g) in the field due to its highly friable nature. All other stones are <14 g and many have a partial fusion crust that ranges from matte black to red/brown in color. One stone was described as having a "compost-like" smell upon powdering.
The type specimen weight is 535 g and the main mass is held at the Natural History Museum in London, UK.Â
MetBull entry: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=74388Â
Classifications we are working on (click to learn more):
Zli 094
Donated by Craig Zlimen
Zli 096
Donated by Craig Zlimen
Zli 097
Donated by Craig Zlimen
Zli 098
Donated by Craig Zlimen
Zli 099
Donated by Craig Zlimen
BJC 002
Donated by Craig Zlimen on behalf of Brett Joseph Cohen
BJC 002
Donated by Craig Zlimen on behalf of Brett Joseph Cohen
ML044
Donated by Craig Zlimen on behalf of Marc Lyon & Eric McFadden