Abteh 001, a CM2 weighing just 21.3 grams, was discovered in the Chwichiya region of Western Sahara by Lahcen Ousaleh in 2023.
This carbonaceous meteorite is extremely light.
Abteh 001 27°51’10.5″N, 11°52’50.4″W
South, Morocco
Find: 2023 Jun 20
Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite (CM2)
History: Found in Morocco near Chwichiya by Lahcen Ousaleh on June 06, 2023. Bought by Jean Redelsperger from Zaid Oualguirah in 2023 in Morocco.
Physical characteristics: Black stone with remanents of fusion crust. Cut surface reveals a dark fine-grained interior, with small chondrules.
Petrography: (J. Gattacceca, CEREGE) Chondrules with average apparent diameter ~200µm and chondrule fragments set in an abundant fine-grained iron-rich matrix. Opaque minerals are troilite, pyrrhotite, magnetite. Metal is found almost exclusively as inclusions in anhydrous silicates. X-ray diffraction analyses over a ~2 cm2 area on a polished section (D. Borschnek, CEREGE) reveal the presence of phyllosicilates and calcium carbonates, as typically observed in type 2 chondrites using the same experimental setup.
Geochemistry: Olivine Fa15.1±17.0, range Fa0.40-48.1 (n=7). Cr2O3 in ferroan olivine 0.40±0.18 wt% (n=6). Defocused analyses of matrix FeO 24.0±6.7 wt%, analytical total 76.1±5.0 (n=3).
Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite (CM2).
Specimens: Type specimen at CEREGE.Main mass with Jean Redelsperger.
Chwichiya 002 is an ordinary carbonaceous chondrite of type C3.00 ungrouped, it is the most primitive type that has ever been found in this date, it has not undergone any hydrated phase and no heating before its expulsion from the parent body.
This meteorite is perhaps one of the most important meteorites of all times, no doubt that the knowledge of our solar system will advance thanks to it.
It was discovered in the Western Sahara. A must for a collection!
