Bechar 003 Lunar Meteorite Slice, Feldspathic Breccia, 4.80g, Complete Full Slice

Complete slice of feldspathic lunar highland material

This 4.80g slice preserves the full cross-section of a lunar feldspathic breccia, showing the impact-generated texture characteristic of the Moon's ancient highland crust. The specimen displays a matrix of angular clasts cemented by fine-grained shock melt, a direct record of the violent bombardment history that shaped the lunar surface over billions of years. The slice format provides clear visibility of the brecciated structure throughout, offering both scientific interest and display value.

Bechar 003 was recovered in Algeria in 2022 and classified as a feldspathic breccia, one of the most common lithologies delivered to Earth from the Moon. The complete slice format is less common than fragments or partial sections, making this specimen particularly suitable for study and collection.

Structure and features

The slice exhibits a heterogeneous texture dominated by angular to subangular clasts of varying sizes, embedded in a fine-grained matrix. Feldspathic breccias form when meteoroid impacts on the Moon's surface excavate and mix highland crustal materials, creating a mechanical mixture of rock fragments bound by shock-melted material. The light coloration reflects the high plagioclase feldspar content typical of lunar highland rocks, distinguishing these specimens from the darker basaltic lunar meteorites derived from mare regions.

Under magnification, individual clast boundaries become apparent, along with the contrasting textures between impact-generated matrix and older crystalline fragments. The slice shows no terrestrial weathering features that would obscure these lunar textures, maintaining clear evidence of its extraterrestrial origin.

Scientific context

Feldspathic breccias originate from the Moon's highland regions, which represent the oldest visible surfaces in the inner solar system. These ancient terrains formed as the lunar crust solidified approximately 4.4 billion years ago, when less dense plagioclase feldspar floated to the surface of the Moon's magma ocean. Subsequent bombardment by asteroids and comets pulverized and mixed these crustal rocks, creating the brecciated textures seen in specimens like Bechar 003.

Lunar meteorites reach Earth after impact events on the Moon eject material at velocities exceeding the lunar escape velocity of 2.4 kilometers per second. These ejected fragments orbit the Sun until gravitational interactions with Earth capture them, delivering authentic lunar samples without the need for spacecraft missions. Studies of feldspathic breccias provide constraints on the composition and evolution of the lunar crust, complementing the limited sampling achieved by Apollo and Luna missions. Learn About Meteorites to understand how scientists classify and study these extraterrestrial materials.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Bechar 003 is classified in the Meteoritical Bulletin as a lunar feldspathic breccia. You can verify the classification through the Meteoritical Bulletin Database. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting its classification and provenance.

What does feldspathic breccia mean? Feldspathic breccias are impact-generated rocks dominated by plagioclase feldspar, the mineral that forms the Moon's bright highland crust. The term breccia indicates the rock is composed of angular fragments cemented together, a texture created by meteoroid impacts that shatter and remix crustal materials.

What is included with this specimen? The specimen weighs 4.80g and includes a certificate of authenticity, specimen card with classification details, and display box.

How do we know this came from the Moon? Lunar meteorites are identified through oxygen isotope analysis, mineral chemistry, and noble gas compositions that match Apollo samples. Feldspathic breccias show distinctive plagioclase-rich mineralogy, low iron content, and absence of terrestrial weathering products, confirming their lunar origin.

Can I display this without damaging it? Lunar meteorites are stable under normal indoor conditions. The display box provides protection from handling damage while allowing the specimen to be viewed. Keep the specimen away from high humidity environments to prevent potential alteration of any trace sulfide minerals present.

Collector significance

Lunar meteorites represent the most accessible samples of another planetary body, offering private collectors the opportunity to own verified material from the Moon. Feldspathic breccias document the ancient highland crust and the intense bombardment history recorded in those surfaces. Complete slices like this specimen provide maximum visibility of internal textures while maintaining the aesthetic appeal valued in display collections.

At 4.80g, this slice occupies a middle ground between small fragments and larger display specimens, offering substantial size at an accessible price point for lunar material. The full-slice format ensures the structural features span the entire specimen, eliminating the compromises often seen in partial sections or edge fragments. Collectors building comprehensive achondrite collections will find this specimen complements Lunar Meteorites from basaltic sources, representing the contrasting highland lithology that covers the majority of the Moon's surface.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: Bechar 003 | Classification: Lunar (feldspathic breccia) | Find, Algeria, 2022