Northwest Africa 1646 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Northwest Africa 1646
- Year Discovered: 2002
- Approximate Recovery Location: Morocco
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 259 grams
- Classification: Eucrite-cm
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Northwest Africa 1646 Meteorite
The Northwest Africa 1646 meteorite was discovered in 2002. It was recovered in Morocco . It has a mass of 259 grams.
Northwest Africa 1646 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 1646’s official classification is Eucrite-cm. The “Eucrite-cm” classification refers to a specific type of achondrite in the eucrite group, identified as a cumulate eucrite, which implies a particular textural formation process. These meteorites, part of the most abundant category of basaltic achondrites, are characterized by their Fe-rich pyroxene and Na-poor plagioclase minerals, sharing key geochemical characteristics with diogenites and howardites in the HED group, potentially linked to asteroid 4 Vesta.
The Northwest Africa 1646 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.
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Last Updated: 1/15/24