Allan Hills A78131 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Allan Hills A78131
- Year Discovered: 1978
- Approximate Recovery Location: Antarctica
- Precise Recovery Location: (-76.71667, 159.66667)
- Mass: 268.8 grams
- Classification: L6
- Discovery Type: find
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Allan Hills A78131 Meteorite
The Allan Hills A78131 meteorite was discovered in 1978. It was recovered in Antarctica (-76.71667, 159.66667). It has a mass of 268.8 grams.
Allan Hills A78131 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 A78131’s official classification is L6. The “L6” classification signifies a low-iron ordinary chondrite from the L group, characterized by a specific range of oxygen isotopes and moderate-sized chondrules. This type 6 meteorite has undergone extensive metamorphism, leading to uniform mineral composition, transformation of pyroxene types, and larger secondary minerals, while maintaining the original chondrule shapes without melting.
The Allan Hills A78131 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