NWA 17708 Howardite Meteorite Slice, 38.80g, Fresh Fusion Crust

Fresh fusion crust preserved across half the surface

This 38.80g sanded slice preserves rippling fusion crust across approximately 50% of its edge surface. The crust formed during atmospheric entry when surface material melted and resolidified, creating the characteristic flowing texture visible along the perimeter. One face was sanded to reveal the internal structure while leaving the exterior edge untouched, maintaining the specimen's field presentation. The contrast between worked interior and preserved crust makes this slice both scientifically informative and visually compelling.

The breccia texture remains visible through the sanded surface. Clasts of varying lithologies appear embedded in the matrix, representing impact-mixed materials from different depths within Vesta's crust. This combination of preserved exterior and exposed interior demonstrates the full character of the meteorite from atmospheric passage to subsurface composition.

Brecciated structure from asteroid impact events

The slice displays the heterogeneous texture characteristic of howardites. Clasts of contrasting composition and grain size appear distributed throughout a finer-grained matrix. These clasts represent fragments of both eucritic basalt and diogenitic orthopyroxenite that were mixed during impact events on Vesta's surface. The boundary between clast and matrix remains visible in many areas, particularly where compositional differences create tonal contrast under standard lighting.

Howardites exhibit very weak magnetic properties due to their low metallic iron content. This specimen demonstrates the expected response, barely interacting with a magnet. The lack of strong magnetism distinguishes howardites from chondritic meteorites and confirms the differentiated origin from a body that underwent complete melting and chemical separation.

Scientific context

NWA 17708 belongs to the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) clan, a group of achondrites confirmed by NASA's Dawn spacecraft to originate from asteroid 4 Vesta. Howardites formed when high-velocity impacts on Vesta's surface excavated and mixed material from the eucritic basaltic crust and the underlying diogenitic orthopyroxenite mantle. The resulting regolith breccias were then lithified through subsequent impacts or burial, creating the mixed-lithology rocks we recover as howardites.

Vesta represents one of the few intact protoplanets remaining from the solar system's first few million years. Its differentiated structure provides direct evidence of early planetary formation processes that would have been common among rocky bodies before most were destroyed or incorporated into larger planets. Howardites sample multiple crustal layers in a single specimen, offering a cross-section of an ancient planetary interior. Learn About Meteorites to understand how classification systems distinguish these achondrites from other meteorite types.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? NWA 17708 is classified as a howardite in the Meteoritical Bulletin database. Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17708 | Classification: Howardite | Find, Mali, 2024. A certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. is included with this specimen, documenting its classification and provenance.

What does the fusion crust tell us about atmospheric entry? The rippling texture on this specimen's crust formed when the meteoroid's surface melted during atmospheric deceleration, with the flowing pattern frozen in place as the object cooled. The preservation of approximately 50% original crust indicates this piece likely came from near the exterior of a larger mass that fragmented during entry or upon impact with the ground.

Why is Vesta significant to planetary science? Vesta is the only known intact protoplanet accessible through meteorites. Its differentiated structure formed within the first few million years of solar system history when radioactive decay provided enough heat to melt the interior completely. Most other bodies of this type were destroyed in collisions or incorporated into Earth and other planets, making Vesta-derived meteorites our only samples of this early planetary stage.

What is included with this specimen? The 38.80g slice, certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co., custom specimen card with classification details, and protective gembox display case.

Collector significance

Howardites comprise only about 8% of all HED meteorites recovered, making them notably less common than eucrites in collections. NWA 17708 was classified in 2024, making it among the most recently studied howardites available. The preserved fusion crust on this specimen adds exterior context that fully prepared slices lack, showing both the meteorite's journey through Earth's atmosphere and its internal structure in one piece.

At 38.80g, this slice falls into the display-weight category that works well for educational contexts or personal collections. The sanded face reveals structural details while the preserved edge maintains field character. The combination of recent classification, substantial size, and dual presentation makes this specimen accessible to collectors building comprehensive HED Meteorites reference sets or those seeking a first piece from Vesta with both interior and exterior features visible.