Sahara 99042 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Sahara 99042
- Year Discovered: 1999
- Approximate Recovery Location: the Sahara Desert
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 345 grams
- Classification: L5
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Sahara 99042 Meteorite
The Sahara 99042 meteorite was discovered in 1999. It was recovered in the Sahara Desert . It has a mass of 345 grams.
Sahara 99042 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.
Sahara 99042’s official classification is L5. The “L5” classification identifies a meteorite as part of the low-iron L group of ordinary chondrites, characterized by moderate-sized chondrules and distinct oxygen isotope ratios. This type 5 meteorite has undergone significant heat metamorphism, resulting in homogenized minerals and less distinct chondrule outlines.
The Sahara 99042 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: 1/16/24