Northwest Africa 1566 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Northwest Africa 1566
- Year Discovered: 2001
- Approximate Recovery Location: Morocco
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 159 grams
- Classification: R3.8
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Northwest Africa 1566 Meteorite
The Northwest Africa 1566 meteorite was discovered in 2001. It was recovered in Morocco . It has a mass of 159 grams.
Northwest Africa 1566 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.
Northwest Africa 1566’s official classification is R3.8. The R3.8 classification is assigned to a specific type of R chondrite meteorite, part of the Rumuruti group, which stands out from other chondrite classes due to its unique chemical composition and highly oxidized minerals. This meteorite is identified as a subtype of type 3, indicating it has undergone significant but not complete metamorphism, characterized by an abundance of chondrules, low water alteration, and minerals that are yet to reach a stable chemical state.
The Northwest Africa 1566 meteorite is a “Found” 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.
Do you have information about the Northwest Africa 1566 meteorite? Share it with us.
Learn More About Meteorites
Discover more meteorites with our interactive meteorite map.
And get more meteorite facts, updates, news, and more by checking out our meteorite blog and signing up for our email newsletter:
Last Updated: 1/15/24