REGGANE 006

A single moderately weathered stone weighing 710 g was found in Tamanghasset, Algeria 107 km east-southeast of Reggane. The meteorite was acquired by M. Benzaki and B. Essbiti in December 2022 and later sold to M. Lyon in January 2023. A sample was sent to the University of New Mexico, Institute of Meteoritics (C. Agee, M. Spilde, and K. Ziegler) for analyses and classification. After some time in debate, the NomComm released a classification for Reggane 006 as an OC4-anomalous chondrite.

This is a metal-rich (~25 vol%), reduced chondrite (olivine Fa8.9 [± 0.2] mol%) showing moderate shock features and moderate terrestrial weathering. The bulk of the meteorite consists of mostly porphyritic type I chondrules and chondrule fragments, along with lesser abundances of plagioclase, troilite, chromite, and chlorapatite.

Petrographic, geochemical, and isotopic data for Reggane 006 are similar to those obtained for members of the F chondrite group, especially with respect to the oxygen isotopic compositions for both Reggane 006 and GRO 95551 (see table below). However, Reggane 006 silicates were found to have slightly higher Fa and Fs values (Fa 8.9 [±0.2]; Fs 9.5 [±1.2]) compared to F chondrites, which were defined by Kirby et al., 2025 as having olivine fayalite values of 0.47–6.

Data obtained thus far (e.g., petrographic, isotopic, silicate and metal compositions) indicate that GRO 95551, NWA 5492, Sierra Gorda 009, and Reggane 006 derive from a similar unique isotopic reservoir, but further research as well as new recoveries are needed to determine whether they represent a single or multiple parent bodies. It was recommended by Weisberg et al. (2015) that GRO 95551 and NWA 5492 be termed 'G chondrites', named for the first described type specimen GRO 95551. The few designated members of the proposed 'G chondrite' grouplet have now been included within the F chondrite group (Kirby et al., 2025). The 20.7 g type specimen of NWA 5492 in the NAU collection was unfortunately reported lost 21 June 2024; see the NWA 5492 page for further details. The specimen of Reggane 006 shown above is a 4.65 g interior slice, while that below is a 91.3 g full slice, shown courtesy of Jay Buscio.