Classification: Ordinary Chondrite H6
Explainer: This means that the sample is from an asteroid parent body. It represents early Solar System material which includes chondrules (small round melt droplets). It is from a very common type of chondrule-bearing meteorite called the ordinary chondrite class. This particular type is an ‘H’ type – meaning it has high concentrations of iron (i.e. iron metal). The meteorite is also a type 6 sample – which means that it has been greatly metamorphosed (heated and/or held under high pressure). You can see more about where this sample fits into the meteorite classification scheme by looking at this page.
Description: Taken from the Meteoritical Bulletin for OUT 18006
History: The meteorite was recovered as part of the Lost Meteorites of Antarctica project, which was funded in the UK by the Leverhulme Trust and supported by the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Manchester. These samples were collected as part of the project’s first field season in austral summer December 2018 – January 2019 by a two person field party consisting of Katherine Joy and Julie Baum. Found on blue ice surface. Altitude 1398 m.
Physical characteristics: Mass: 2.06 g. Pieces: 1. Dimensions: 2 × 1 × 0.5 cm. An irregular, dark brown, part stone with 50% fusion crust.
Petrography: Equilibrated texture with some small (up to 1 mm) poorly defined chondrules. Metal and sulfide (up to 0.5 mm) throughout.
Mineral compositions and geochemistry: Mineral compositions and geochemistry: All analyses by EPMA. Olivine Fa20.3±0.3 (N=11), Pyroxene Fs17.6±0.3Wo1.4±0.2 (N=11). Plagioclase An11.6±0.2Ab82.8±1.0Or5.5±0.8 (N=3).
Specimens: 1.79 g type specimen (main mass) held at the NHM
Project comments:
Sample images and videos:
UK Polar Meteorite Exploration and Research 