NWA 15811 (24.15 gram) endpiece

Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite CM2 W-low /S1
Place/Time: 2023 in Western Sahara
Mass: 302g

History: The meteorite was purchased from a meteorite dealer in Western Sahara.

Physical characteristics: Black fragment partly covered with fusion crust.

Petrography: Carbonaceous chondrite composed of small (apparent mean diameter about 250 µm) chondrules, chondrule pseudomorphs, mineral fragments, abundant and PCP(TCI) particles, and rare CAIs many of which surrounded by fine-grained dust rims set into abundant fine-grained matrix. Matrix is Fe-rich with abundant Fe-sulfides and Ca-carbonates. Low analytical totals of matrix analyses suggest the presence of hydrous phyllosilicates.

Geochemistry: Matrix analyses yield an average total of 78.1±2.0 wt% (5 µm defocused beam, N=6) suggesting the presence of hydrous minerals.

NOTE: Slice with crust, polished from one side