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 highly 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 HUT 18032
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 stuck on ice. Altitude 1176 m.
Physical characteristics: Mass: 227.97 g. Pieces: 1. Dimensions: 5.5 × 6 × 4 cm. A blocky. whole stone with 100% black fusion crust.
Petrography: Equilibrated texture with some poorly defined relict chondrules (up to 1 mm). Metal and sulfide grains occur as grains up to 0.5 mm throughout. Plagioclase grains up to 0.2 mm.
Mineral compositions and geochemistry: All analyses by EPMA. Olivine Fa19.3±0.2 (N=9). Pyroxene Fs16.8±0.2Wo1.5±0.2 (N=12). Plagioclase An 12.2±0.1Ab 83.2±0.6Or 4.6±0.6 (N=4).
Specimens: 223.018 g type specimen (main mass) held at the NHM London.
Project comments: No comments
Sample images and videos:
UK Polar Meteorite Exploration and Research 