NORTHWEST AFRICA 11273

Numerous relatively fresh fragments of a 2,808 g stone was found near Tindouf, Algeria and subsequently purchased by a group of meteorite collectors (Rob Wesel, Eric Twelker, and Jason Phillips). A type specimen was submitted for analysis and classification to the University of Washington in Seattle (A. Irving and S. Kuehner), and NWA 11273 was determined to be a lunar feldspathic regolith breccia.

Northwest Africa 11273 consists of mineral clasts of anorthite (An_95.9–96.5), olivine, pigeonite, augite, chromite, Ti-Cr-Fe spinel, FeNi-metal, and troilite, embedded within a fine-grained matrix (MetBull 106). Rare basalt clasts and glass fragments were also identified.

Northwest Africa 11273 is a member of the NWA 8046 clan, which comprises NWA 8046, 10309, 10461, 10609, 10643, 10649, 10756, 10822, 10901, 11029, 11266, 11269, 11273, 11303, 11379, 11428, 11460, 11479, 11515, 12691, and 12760. Other possible or probable paired stones include NWA 2425, 11331, 11407, 11421, 11444, 11517, 11532, 11695, 11787, 11789, 11898, 11966, 11968, 12630, 12695, 12966, 13101, 13120, 13390, 13426, 13739, 14340, and others. See further information and photos at the Washington University in St. Louis Lunar Meteorites page of R. Korotev.

The specimen of NWA 11273 shown above is a 3.8 g partial slice acquired from Sergey Vasiliev. More photos of this lunar breccia can be seen in the official write-up in the Meteoritical Bulletin.