Northwest Africa 4897 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Northwest Africa 4897
- Year Discovered: 2007
- Approximate Recovery Location: Morocco
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 25 grams
- Classification: CK5
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Northwest Africa 4897 Meteorite
The Northwest Africa 4897 meteorite was discovered in 2007. It was recovered in Morocco . It has a mass of 25 grams.
Northwest Africa 4897 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 4897’s official classification is CK5. A “CK5” meteorite is a type of carbonaceous chondrite from the CK group that is both anomalous and of petrologic type 5. Carbonaceous chondrites are a major class of meteorites with specific chemical characteristics, and CK chondrites have unique properties such as abundant fine-grained matrix, distinctive chondrules, and a high degree of oxidation. A CK5 meteorite has been metamorphosed to petrologic type 5, which means it has undergone changes that homogenized its mineral composition, converted low-Ca pyroxene to orthopyroxene, and caused the growth of secondary minerals while blurring chondrule outlines.
The Northwest Africa 4897 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 4897 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