Allan Hills A77278 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Allan Hills A77278
- Year Discovered: 1977
- Approximate Recovery Location: Antarctica
- Precise Recovery Location: (-76.71667, 159.66667)
- Mass: 312.9 grams
- Classification: LL3.7
- Discovery Type: find
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Allan Hills A77278 Meteorite
The Allan Hills A77278 meteorite was discovered in 1977. It was recovered in Antarctica (-76.71667, 159.66667). It has a mass of 312.9 grams.
Allan Hills A77278 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 A77278’s official classification is LL3.7. The classification “LL3.7” denotes an ordinary chondrite from the LL group that is petrologic type 3. These chondrites, part of the LL group, are characterized by their low iron and metal content, fairly large chondrules, and distinctive oxygen isotope compositions. Petrologic type 3 indicates that this chondrite has abundant chondrules, minimal aqueous alteration, and unique mineral properties, including monoclinic low-Ca pyroxene grains with polysynthetic twinning.
The Allan Hills A77278 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