Adrar 013 Lunar Meteorite End Cut, Melt Breccia, 4.39g, Polished Interior with Natural Exterior

Complete cross-section from polished interior to weathered exterior

This 4.39g end cut of Adrar 013 preserves both a mirror-polished interior face and unpolished natural exterior surfaces in a single complete slice. The polished face exposes the lunar melt breccia's internal structure: light-toned anorthositic norite matrix interspersed with darker mafic mineral phases frozen from impact melt. The natural exterior faces retain the weathering patina acquired during terrestrial residence in Algeria following the meteorite's fall to Earth. End cuts function as complete cross-sectional specimens, presenting the full progression from exterior weathered surface through to interior mineralogy without requiring multiple pieces.

The specimen size provides sufficient surface area to observe melt breccia texture under magnification while remaining accessible for collectors building lunar collections. The polish quality eliminates optical interference, allowing direct observation of mineral boundaries, clast distribution patterns, and the contact between light feldspathic matrix and darker pyroxene-rich zones.

Impact melt texture and mineral composition

The polished face reveals the characteristic texture of lunar melt breccia: angular to sub-rounded mineral and lithic clasts suspended in a once-molten matrix that solidified rapidly under lunar vacuum conditions. Light-toned regions represent plagioclase feldspar-rich anorthositic material derived from the Moon's ancient highland crust. Darker phases correspond to pyroxene and other mafic minerals, indicating contribution from deeper crustal layers or mare basalt components excavated during impact.

The anorthositic norite to gabbro classification documents the mixed source lithologies melted and homogenized during the impact event. Norite contains orthopyroxene as the dominant mafic mineral, while gabbro contains clinopyroxene, and the gradation between these compositions reflects incomplete mixing in the impact melt sheet. The preserved textural heterogeneity visible in this specimen records the chaotic thermal and mechanical conditions during crater formation.

Scientific context

Lunar meteorites originate from impact events that accelerate surface material beyond the Moon's 2.4 km/s escape velocity. Once ejected into heliocentric orbit, these fragments travel through space until gravitational perturbations deliver them to Earth's surface. Adrar 013 was recovered in 2023 from Algeria, representing material excavated from the Moon's surface through meteoroid bombardment that has continued throughout the Moon's 4.5-billion-year history. Melt breccias like Adrar 013 specifically sample the products of large impact events energetic enough to generate substantial volumes of impact melt, distinguishing them from fragmental breccias formed through mechanical crushing alone. Study of lunar meteorites extends our understanding of lunar geology beyond the limited geographic sampling of the Apollo and Luna missions. Learn About Meteorites to understand how these specimens reach Earth and what they reveal about Solar System processes.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Adrar 013 is officially classified in the Meteoritical Bulletin as a lunar melt breccia with anorthositic norite/gabbro composition. Meteoritical Bulletin entry: Adrar 013. Every specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting classification, weight, and origin.

What is a melt breccia? A melt breccia is a rock composed of mineral and lithic fragments (clasts) embedded in a matrix of impact-generated melt that solidified. Unlike fragmental breccias formed purely through mechanical crushing, melt breccias contain a significant component of once-molten material produced by the extreme temperatures of large impacts. The texture records the moment of solidification when the melt froze around suspended fragments.

What is included with this specimen? You receive the complete 4.39g Adrar 013 end cut with polished interior and natural exterior faces, plus a certificate of authenticity. No display stand is included.

Why does one side look different from the other? The polished face was cut and polished to reveal the meteorite's internal structure and mineralogy, while the natural exterior faces were left unpolished to preserve the original weathered surface as recovered from the Algerian desert. This dual presentation provides both scientific observation capability and preservation of natural features in one specimen.

How did Moon rocks reach Earth? Large meteoroid impacts on the lunar surface excavate material with enough velocity to escape the Moon's gravity. These ejected fragments orbit the Sun until gravitational interactions with Earth eventually cause them to fall as meteorites. The process requires excavation velocities exceeding 2.4 km/s, achieved only in substantial impact events.

Lunar collecting and display value

Lunar meteorites represent the only Moon material legally available for private ownership outside of government-controlled Apollo and Luna return samples. Adrar 013's classification as a melt breccia adds scientific interest through its documentation of large-scale impact melting processes. End cuts provide maximum information density by preserving both polished and natural surfaces, making them efficient specimens for collectors prioritizing completeness over individual surface types.

The 4.39g mass provides display presence while remaining accessible for collectors entering lunar meteorite acquisition. The clear textural differentiation visible between light feldspathic matrix and darker mafic phases makes this specimen effective for visual demonstration of lunar crustal composition. The preserved natural exterior complements the polished interior by showing the meteorite's appearance as recovered, adding context to the prepared surface. Explore additional specimens in our Lunar Meteorites collection to compare impact melt breccias with other lunar lithologies including regolith breccias, highland anorthosites, and mare basalts.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: Adrar 013 | Classification: Lunar melt breccia (anorthositic norite/gabbro) | Find, Algeria, 2023