Mars Rock – SNC Diabasic Shergottite Smara, Morocco

Details

NWA 7397 — PARTIAL SLICE OF THE PLANET MARS
Mars Rock – SNC Diabasic Shergottite
Smara, Morocco
The unusual “poikilitic” texture of this rock is marked by large crystals of pyroxene (a magnesium-iron silicate) enclosing small crystals of olivine (a magnesium-iron silicate) and chromite (an iron-chromium oxide). The texture most likely formed by rapid cooling of the rock from magmatic temperatures. The feldspar mineral grains (a calcium-aluminium silicate) have been transformed into glass, a result of the shock pressure experienced when the rock was blasted off the surface of Mars by an enormously energetic impact event on the Martian surface. Modern cutting.
2 1/3 x 3 x 1/8in. (59 x 77 x 1mm.)
22.3g.

Special Notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Sale Room Notice

A very small fragment has come loose from the bottom left corner, it weighs 0.3 grams.

Brought to you by

James Hyslop

jhyslop@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3205

Lot Essay

Specimens of the planet Mars are among the most exotic substances on Earth, with less than 400 pounds known to exist. The delivery mechanism to Earth was an asteroid impact on Mars that ejected material off the Martian surface into an Earth-intersecting orbit. This is the 7,397th distinct meteorite to be recovered and classified by scientists after having been found in the Northwest Africa (NWA) region of the Sahara Desert. The determination of Martian origin is the result of research conducted by hundreds of scientists throughout the world. In addition to many arcane chemical and isotopic markers, the link to Mars was speculative until an analysis was conducted on the glassy inclusions of other suspected Martian meteorites. Within the glass were tiny bubbles of gas. The gas was analyzed and it matched perfectly with the signature of the Martian atmosphere as reported by NASA’s Viking Missions to Mars. The author of the scientific abstract on NWA 7397 is Dr. Anthony Irving, the world’s foremost classifier of planetary meteorites. The official classification of this meteorite appears in the 102nd edition of the Meteoritical Bulletin.

More from Science & Natural History

View All