Alta'ameem meteorite, At-Ta'mim province, Iraq
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84): | 35° 16' 24'' North , 44° 12' 56'' East |
Latitude & Longitude (decimal): | 35.2733333333, 44.2155555556 |
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.
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References
Al-Bassam, K. S. (1978) The mineralogy and chemistry of the Alta'ameem Graham, A. L., Bevan, A. W. R. & Hutchison, B. (1985) Catalogue of Meteorites (4/e). University of Arizona Press: Tucson.
Graham, A.L. - Editor (1978). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 55. Meteoritics 13(3): 327-352. (Sept 1978).
Bull, R.K. & Mold, P. (1982) Fission Tracks in chondritic meteorites and the search for siderophile heavy elements. IN: Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors: Proceedings of the 11 International Conference Bristol: (Fowler, P., ed.): Pergamon.pp. 855-858.
Rubin, A. (1990) Olivine & Kamacite in Ordinary Chondrites: Intergroup and Intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 1217-1230.
Grady, M.M. (2000). Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge; New York; Oakleigh; Madrid; Cape Town. 689 pages.
Rubin, A.E. (2004) Shock Annealing and postannealing shock in equilibrated ordinary chondrites: implications for the thermal and shock histories of chondritic astroids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica 68(3): 679-689.
Grady, M.M. (2000). Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge; New York; Oakleigh; Madrid; Cape Town. 689 pages.
Graham, A.L. - Editor (1978). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 55. Meteoritics 13(3): 327-352. (Sept 1978).
Bull, R.K. & Mold, P. (1982) Fission Tracks in chondritic meteorites and the search for siderophile heavy elements. IN: Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors: Proceedings of the 11 International Conference Bristol: (Fowler, P., ed.): Pergamon.pp. 855-858.
Rubin, A. (1990) Olivine & Kamacite in Ordinary Chondrites: Intergroup and Intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 1217-1230.
Grady, M.M. (2000). Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge; New York; Oakleigh; Madrid; Cape Town. 689 pages.
Rubin, A.E. (2004) Shock Annealing and postannealing shock in equilibrated ordinary chondrites: implications for the thermal and shock histories of chondritic astroids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica 68(3): 679-689.
Grady, M.M. (2000). Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge; New York; Oakleigh; Madrid; Cape Town. 689 pages.
External Links
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php - MeteoriticalBulletinDatabase
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=2284 -Alta'ameem@MetBullDatabase
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/get_original_photo.php?recno=5627978 -photo
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1978Metic..13..257A - Meteoritics(1978)
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=2284 -Alta'ameem@MetBullDatabase
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/get_original_photo.php?recno=5627978 -photo
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1978Metic..13..257A - Meteoritics(1978)