Northwest Africa 1609 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Northwest Africa 1609
- Year Discovered: 2001
- Approximate Recovery Location: Morocco
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 359.4 grams
- Classification: H4-6
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Northwest Africa 1609 Meteorite
The Northwest Africa 1609 meteorite was discovered in 2001. It was recovered in Morocco . It has a mass of 359.4 grams.
Northwest Africa 1609 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 1609’s official classification is H4-6. The classification “H4-6” represents an ordinary chondrite meteorite from the H group that is a breccia composed of components ranging from petrologic type 4 to type 6. These meteorites are part of a major class of chondrites with distinctive characteristics, including abundant chondrules and varying degrees of metamorphism that have altered the mineral composition and structure of the rock. Studying these meteorites helps scientists understand the processes that shaped materials in the early solar system and provides insights into the history of our cosmic neighborhood.
The Northwest Africa 1609 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 1609 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