Iron meteorite - coarse octahedrite - IAB complex, Novosibirsk, Russia
It was on May 25, 1992, that a single 26 kilogram mass was found by an agronomist outside the town of Maslyanino, a few hour drive from the Mongolian border. Additional material has since been recovered by enterprising meteorite hunters. IAB complex meteorites contain angular silicate inclusions which have similarities with two other types of meteorites: chondrites and winonaites. While the metal in IAB meteorites originates from the core of an asteroid which broke apart, scientists believe portions of the core subsequently experienced a further impact with a chondritic body which would explain the silicate inclusions now seen.
With two long edges of the meteorite’s external surface, one side of this partial slice is polished while the other evidences its crystalline structure. On both sides of the specimen lamellae of kamacite, taenite, and schreibersite are in evidence. Amongst the darker and angular silicate inclusions — which include olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, apatite, merrillite, chromite, and graphite — globules of lighter-hued troilite (iron-sulfide) provide further accenting. This is a splendid partial slice of a silicated iron meteorite.
109 x 85 x 2mm (4.25 x 3.33 x 0.1 in.) and 91.7 grams.
