Muonionalusta meteorite; Approximate dimensions: 3.3 cm x 1.9 cm x 7 mm NOTE: This piece was cut to an irregular shape, not a flat slice, it is thinner than 7 mm on one side of the slice.
Type: Iron Octahedrite; IVA. A 20.8 gram specimen from Kitlaiojoki, Sweden.
The Muonionalusta meteorite fell in prehistoric times and was first reported in 1906. Additional finds were made in 1946 (15 kilograms) and 1963 (6.2 kilograms.) These meteorites were likely carried from the original place of fall by glacier action. Additional finds are likely.
Octahedrites are composed of cubic Kamacite crystals with fine Taenite occupying the spaces between. The Taenite resists an acid etching solution that readily dissolves the large Kamacite crystals. The crystal pattern is readily seen after a light etch. That crystal pattern, revealed as "Widmanstätten lines" is clear in this particularly nice specimen showing the fine crystal structure of the IVA meteorite group. Click the image to view a closeup of the beautiful etch on this specimen.
Structural Class: Fine octahedrite, Of, Widmanstätten bandwidth 0.3±0.05 mm.
Chemical class: Group IVA, 8.42% Ni, 2.24 ppm Ga, 0.133 ppm Ge, 1.6 ppm Ir.
Stock No.:
IVA.5
