NWA 17708 Howardite Meteorite End Cut, 29.12g, 50% Fusion Crust Coverage

End cut preserving extensive fusion crust

This 29.12g end cut of NWA 17708 retains approximately 50% fusion crust coverage along its edge surface, exhibiting the rippled, flow-textured exterior that formed during atmospheric entry. The sanded interior face reveals the brecciated nature of howardite material: angular clasts of contrasting composition set within a fine-grained matrix. The fusion crust transitions sharply to the interior, providing a clear cross-section of the meteorite's exterior shell and internal structure.

End cuts occupy a specific position in meteorite preparation. They preserve the complete profile from fusion crust through to interior while allowing one polished or sanded face for examination of internal features. This specimen balances both aspects: the weathered exterior documents atmospheric flight, while the prepared face exposes the mixed lithology characteristic of Vestan regolith breccias.

Brecciated texture and mixed clasts

The interior face shows the heterogeneous structure that defines howardites. Light and dark clasts of varying size interrupt the matrix, representing fragments of both eucritic basalt and diogenitic orthopyroxenite. These components derive from different depths within Vesta's crust: eucrites from surface lava flows, diogenites from plutonic intrusions deeper in the crust. Impact events mixed these materials at the asteroid's surface, creating the polymict breccia now classified as howardite.

Clast boundaries are visible where compositional differences create subtle color and textural contrasts. The matrix between clasts consists of finer comminuted material from the same parent lithologies. This mechanical mixing occurred through repeated impact gardening of Vesta's regolith over billions of years, with each collision fragmenting, ejecting, and redepositing surface material.

Scientific context

NWA 17708 originated from asteroid 4 Vesta, the second-largest body in the main asteroid belt and the only differentiated asteroid confirmed as a meteorite source through spacecraft observation. NASA's Dawn mission mapped Vesta from 2011 to 2012, matching surface spectroscopy to laboratory analysis of HED meteorites and confirming the connection between howardites, eucrites, diogenites, and this specific parent body.

Howardites represent Vesta's surface regolith, the impact-processed layer that accumulated over the asteroid's 4.5-billion-year history. Giant impacts, including the formation of the Rheasilvia basin near Vesta's south pole, excavated deep crustal material and launched fragments into space. Some of these fragments eventually reached Earth-crossing orbits and fell as meteorites. NWA 17708 was recovered in Mali in 2024 and classified as a howardite based on its mixed mineralogy and texture. For broader context on meteorite identification and classification, see Learn About Meteorites.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Yes. NWA 17708 is classified as a howardite by the Meteoritical Society and recorded in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database. You can verify the classification at Meteoritical Bulletin: NWA 17708. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.

What is an end cut? An end cut is a slice removed from the edge of a meteorite mass, preserving the fusion crust on one side while exposing the interior on the cut face. This format shows both the exterior formed during atmospheric entry and the internal structure, making it valuable for display and study. The sanded face on this specimen allows clear observation of the brecciated texture.

Why does this howardite show weak or no magnetism? Howardites consist primarily of pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar with minimal metal content, typically less than 1%. The parent lithologies—eucrites and diogenites—formed in an oxygen-rich environment within Vesta's crust, preventing metallic iron from crystallizing. Without significant metal, howardites exhibit very weak magnetic response, distinguishing them from chondrites and iron meteorites.

What is included with this specimen? This listing includes the 29.12g NWA 17708 end cut, certificate of authenticity, specimen card with classification details, and protective display case. No stand is included.

Display-ready specimen with scientific documentation

At 29.12g, this end cut provides substantial presence for collection display while remaining accessible for researchers interested in HED achondrite samples. The preserved fusion crust makes the specimen immediately recognizable as a meteorite, while the sanded interior allows examination of the brecciated texture without requiring additional preparation. The combination of exterior preservation and interior exposure serves both aesthetic and educational purposes.

Howardites represent less than 5% of all meteorite falls, making them significantly less common than ordinary chondrites. Recently classified specimens like NWA 17708 expand the available sample set for collectors building HED suites. This piece fits into broader Howardites and HED Meteorites collections, complementing eucrite and diogenite specimens to represent the full range of Vestan crustal lithologies.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17708 | Classification: Howardite | Find, Mali, 2024