Allan Hills 88059 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Allan Hills 88059
- Year Discovered: 1988
- Approximate Recovery Location: Antarctica
- Precise Recovery Location: (-76.68156, 159.31)
- Mass: 15 grams
- Classification: L/LL3
- Discovery Type: find
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Allan Hills 88059 Meteorite
The Allan Hills 88059 meteorite was discovered in 1988. It was recovered in Antarctica (-76.68156, 159.31). It has a mass of 15 grams.
Allan Hills 88059 is considered a “Valid” meteorite. “Valid” meteorites are typical meteorites with average weathering, while “relict” meteorites are those that have been extremely altered, either due to weathering over time or human intervention.
Allan Hills 88059’s official classification is L/LL3. The classification “L/LL3” refers to a meteorite that can belong to either the L group or LL group of ordinary chondrites and is of petrologic type 3. Ordinary chondrites are known for their high abundance of chondrules and low levels of aqueous alteration. The L group has moderate-sized chondrules, while the LL group has fairly large chondrules and distinct oxygen isotope compositions. Petrologic type 3 indicates that the meteorite has abundant chondrules, minimal aqueous alteration, and certain characteristics in its mineral composition, such as monoclinic low-Ca pyroxene grains with twinning.
The Allan Hills 88059 meteorite is a “find” meteorite. Meteorites are classified as “falls” if they were observed falling and recovered, while “finds” are those discovered later, often weathered by longer exposure to Earth’s environment and without a record of being seen as they fell.
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Last Updated: 12/29/23