NWA 1218 Stone Meteorite Main Mass

Northwest Africa (NWA) 1218 stone meteorite (H5 chondrite) main mass with polished face. The specimen weighs 143.8 grams and measures approximately 50 mm x 44 mm x 49 mm. 'Main mass' is a scientific term used to describe the largest single extant piece of a specific meteorite. We often think of the main mass as being large; the main mass of Clarendon (c) is, for example, a whopping 759 pounds (see description in lot 2115)—but a main mass could theoretically be of almost any size.
When a new meteorite is found and submitted for classification, a modest sample is removed and sent to the institution carrying out the analysis. That portion is known as the 'type specimen' and it typically remains permanently with the classifying body. If no other meteorites are determined to be a match to it, the remaining and larger portion becomes known as the main mass. In the majority of cases, we would expect that mass to be cut up into smaller pieces and sold, traded, or sent to additional institutions for further study. In rarer instances, the primary mass may be kept whole as a unique collectible or display piece and such is the case with NWA 1218. Found near Zagora, Morocco in 1999, a modest portion of the find was sent to Tokyo where it was classified as an H5 chondrite.
NWA 1218 was a relatively early hot desert find and the main mass was retained by seminal meteorite collector and dealer Allan Lang of R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites, who also prepared the cut face, and this lot is accompanied by his original specimen identification card, as well as an Aerolite Meteorites card. The attractive polished face of NWA 1218 shows a variety of colorful chondrules and has the added allure of being the largest known specimen of this particular meteorite. Definitely a one-of-a-kind offering!
Format: Stone Meteorite Main Mass