Bechar 003 Lunar Meteorite Slice, Feldspathic Breccia, 3.63g, Complete Section

Complete slice from lunar highlands material

This 3.63g complete slice of Bechar 003 displays the characteristic brecciated texture of feldspathic lunar material. The slice preserves a cross-section through impact-fractured highland crust, showing the angular fragments and fine-grained matrix typical of feldspathic breccias. The specimen displays the light coloration consistent with anorthositic plagioclase-rich compositions that dominate the lunar highlands.

Found in Algeria in 2022, this slice represents a complete section through the meteorite, maintaining the original shape and structure of the material. The piece offers clear visibility of the brecciated fabric without polishing, preserving the natural texture of the lunar regolith that was lithified by impact processes on the Moon's surface.

Brecciated highland structure

Feldspathic breccias form when repeated meteorite impacts fracture and mix lunar highland rocks. This specimen shows angular clasts of various sizes embedded in a fine-grained matrix, recording the violent collisional history of the lunar surface. The light-colored material indicates high concentrations of plagioclase feldspar, the mineral that gives the lunar highlands their bright appearance when viewed from Earth.

The slice format allows examination of the three-dimensional distribution of clasts throughout the matrix. Individual fragments range from submillimeter to several millimeters across, representing different generations of impact processing. The cohesion of these fragments into solid rock occurred through shock lithification during subsequent impact events.

Scientific context

Feldspathic breccias originate from the lunar highlands, the ancient, heavily cratered terrain that covers approximately 83% of the Moon's surface. These regions preserve the Moon's primitive crust, formed when plagioclase feldspar floated to the top of the lunar magma ocean approximately 4.4 billion years ago. The resulting anorthositic rock became the substrate for billions of years of meteorite bombardment.

Impact events on the Moon excavate this ancient material and occasionally launch it into space at velocities exceeding lunar escape velocity. These fragments enter Earth-crossing orbits and eventually fall as meteorites, providing direct samples of lunar geology without the expense of sample return missions. Feldspathic breccias represent the most common type of lunar meteorite, reflecting the dominance of highland terrain on the Moon's surface. Learn About Meteorites to understand how these materials are classified and studied.

Frequently asked questions

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

What does feldspathic breccia mean? Feldspathic refers to the high plagioclase feldspar content derived from lunar highland rocks. Breccia indicates the rock consists of angular fragments (clasts) cemented together by impact processes. This combination identifies material from the Moon's ancient, heavily cratered highlands rather than the darker mare basalts.

What is included with this specimen? This listing includes the 3.63g complete slice, certificate of authenticity, specimen card with classification details, and protective display box for storage and presentation.

How did this rock travel from the Moon to Earth? Large asteroid or comet impacts on the lunar surface can accelerate surface material beyond the Moon's escape velocity of 2.4 km/s. These ejected fragments enter heliocentric orbits and may eventually intersect Earth's orbit, entering the atmosphere as meteorites. The lack of weathering atmosphere on the Moon preserves surface material in pristine condition until ejection.

Significance for lunar collections

Lunar meteorites remain among the most sought-after specimens in meteorite collecting, representing extraterrestrial material from Earth's nearest celestial neighbor. Feldspathic breccias provide samples of the lunar highlands, the bright terrain visible to the naked eye that was never sampled by Apollo missions. The complete slice format of this 3.63g specimen offers both scientific value and display quality.

At this weight, the piece balances accessibility with the rarity inherent to all lunar material. The complete section preserves the original structure of the meteorite rather than showing only a cut face, making it particularly desirable for collectors who value morphological integrity. The included display box provides immediate presentation capability. Browse our complete Lunar Meteorites collection to compare specimens from different lunar terrains.

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