Adrar 013 Lunar Meteorite End Cut, Melt Breccia, 4.29g, Polished Interior with Natural Exterior

Dual-surface Moon rock from Algeria

This 4.29g end cut presents two perspectives of Adrar 013 in a single specimen. One face shows the polished cross-section, revealing the bright anorthositic norite and gabbro matrix characteristic of lunar highland material. The opposite face preserves the natural exterior surfaces as they appeared when recovered in Algeria, maintaining the weathering acquired during terrestrial residence. The contrast between polished mineralogy and unaltered exterior creates a visual record of both the meteorite's internal structure and its post-impact journey.

The polished surface exposes the melt breccia texture formed during basin-scale lunar impacts. Fragments of highland crust remain suspended in the solidified impact melt, frozen in the configuration they held when ejected from the Moon. The end cut format provides access to this internal architecture while preserving the specimen's original surfaces, making it suitable for both study and display applications.

Impact-generated melt matrix

The polished face reveals the structure of rapidly cooled impact melt. Mineral and lithic clasts appear embedded in a fine-grained matrix that crystallized when the melt solidified. The anorthositic composition reflects the highland origin of the source material, where plagioclase feldspar dominates the ancient lunar crust. Under magnification, the matrix shows the characteristic texture of material that melted and cooled during a high-energy impact event.

The melt breccia structure records the mechanics of lunar crater formation. When an asteroid struck the Moon's surface, the impact energy melted surrounding highland crust and fragmented additional material into clasts. The molten rock then cooled rapidly in the vacuum environment, trapping the fragments in their impact-generated arrangement. The absence of atmospheric weathering or water alteration preserved this structure across billions of years.

Scientific context

Lunar meteorites provide the only Moon samples available outside government-controlled Apollo and Luna collections. All lunar meteorites were launched from the Moon by impacts energetic enough to exceed the lunar escape velocity of 2.38 kilometers per second. These fragments then orbited the Sun until gravitational interactions brought them into collision with Earth, where they fell as meteorites.

Adrar 013's classification as an anorthositic melt breccia identifies it as highland material rather than mare basalt. The lunar highlands represent the Moon's primordial crust, formed over 4 billion years ago when plagioclase minerals floated to the surface during the magma ocean phase. The melt breccia texture developed during subsequent impact events that melted and mixed this ancient crustal material. Learn About Meteorites provides additional context on meteorite formation and classification systems.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Adrar 013 is classified in the Meteoritical Bulletin as a lunar melt breccia (anorthositic norite/gabbro). You can verify the classification at Meteoritical Bulletin: Adrar 013. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting the meteorite name, classification, weight, and specimen details.

What does anorthositic norite/gabbro mean? This classification describes the rock's mineral composition. Anorthositic indicates high plagioclase feldspar content typical of lunar highland crust. Norite and gabbro are igneous rock types distinguished by their pyroxene minerals, with norite containing orthopyroxene and gabbro containing clinopyroxene. The classification reflects the highland origin and igneous formation of the source material.

What is included with this specimen? This listing includes the 4.29g Adrar 013 end cut and a certificate of authenticity. No display stand is included unless separately noted.

How do scientists confirm lunar origin? Laboratories use multiple analytical techniques including oxygen isotope ratios, mineral chemistry, and trace element patterns. Lunar samples show distinct oxygen isotope values that differ from Earth and other planetary bodies. The anorthositic composition and lack of terrestrial weathering in the interior further confirm lunar origin.

What is an end cut? An end cut is a slice removed from the terminal edge of a meteorite specimen. This format preserves the original exterior surfaces on one face while exposing a polished cross-section on the opposite face, providing both external context and internal structural detail in a single piece.

Collector significance

Lunar meteorites remain among the most sought specimens in meteorite collecting due to their direct connection to Earth's only natural satellite. The end cut format increases accessibility by preserving both exterior context and interior structure, making the specimen suitable for collectors who value scientific presentation alongside display quality. The 4.29g mass provides sufficient surface area to observe the melt breccia texture while maintaining portability and storage efficiency.

The polished face allows direct observation of the mineralogy and clast distribution that characterize lunar highland material. Combined with the preserved exterior surfaces, this specimen documents both the meteorite's formation history and its terrestrial recovery. Collectors seeking Lunar Meteorites often prioritize end cuts for their educational value and dual-perspective presentation. The Adrar 013 strewnfield continues to yield authenticated specimens, making this material available to private collections while maintaining scientific documentation through the Meteoritical Bulletin classification system.

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