Alta'ameem meteorite, At-Ta'mim province, Iraq

Ordinary chondrite, veined (LL5, S2, W0 )
Fell, 20 Aug 1977; 6 kg

After one or more detonations, a humming noise was heard and a single stone fell to earth near the village of Humira. Upon impact, the meteorite broke into many pieces of which 12 were recovered. A few chondrules are present within a light gray and brecciated interior. Olivine composition (Fa27), low-Ca orthopyroxene (Fs24.5), and bulk iron content (20.3 wt%) are diagnostic of the LL group of ordinary chondrites. Albitic plagioclase, troilite, and Fe-Ni metal are also present. Opaques (mostly sulfides and then metal) account for ~12 wt% of the meteorite. Minor accessory phases include chromite, clinopyroxene, and phosphates as well as both copper and a copper sulfide. A cosmic ray exposure age of ~ 22.6 Ma has been reported.

Alta'ameem is one of 19 observed falls listed exactly as an LL5 ordinary chondrites at The Meteoritical Society Database (January 2015). The LL ordinary chondrites (very low in relative bulk iron) are the smallest of the main group of ordinary chondrites and represent some 8-9% of all witnessed and fully classified falls.

The main mass has been kept at the United States National Museum in Washington, DC.

Mineral List

14 entries listed. 8 valid minerals.

References

External Links