{"product_id":"nwa-17706-lunar-meteorite-individual-troctolitic-anorthosite-melt-breccia-45-40g-complete-stone-from-earths-moon","title":"NWA 17706 Lunar Meteorite Individual, Troctolitic Anorthosite Melt Breccia, 45.40g, Complete Stone from Earth's Moon","description":"\u003ch2\u003eComplete lunar specimen preserving Moon's early crustal history\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 45.40g complete individual of NWA 17706 preserves a complex assemblage of lunar highland materials fused by impact processes on the Moon's surface. The specimen displays the characteristic gray-white coloration of lunar anorthosites mixed with darker melt matrix, revealing the violent collisions that shaped the Moon's crust over billions of years. Recovered from Algeria in 2024 and classified in 2025, this stone belongs to the lunar meteorites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe troctolitic anorthosite composition indicates this material originated from the Moon's primordial crust, formed when the lunar magma ocean crystallized approximately 4.4 billion years ago. The melt breccia texture documents subsequent meteoroid bombardment that melted and mixed these ancient crustal rocks. This specimen retains its complete natural form as found, with no cutting or modification, preserving the full context of its ejection from the lunar surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBrecciated structure and lunar composition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe specimen exhibits a heterogeneous texture characteristic of lunar regolith breccias, with lighter anorthositic clasts embedded in a darker impact-generated melt matrix. Troctolitic anorthosites contain primarily plagioclase feldspar with olivine, distinguishing them from pure anorthosites that dominate the lunar highlands. These mineral phases crystallized directly from the Moon's initial magma ocean, making them some of the oldest crustal rocks known from the Moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe melt breccia component formed when micrometeorite impacts partially melted surface materials, welding together fragments of the pre-existing bedrock. This process created the matrix that binds the individual clasts visible throughout the specimen. The fusion occurred on the Moon's surface before a larger impact ejected this material into space, eventually sending it on a trajectory toward Earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eScientific context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLunar meteorites provide direct samples of the Moon's surface without the logistical constraints of space missions. Unlike Apollo samples collected from six equatorial sites, lunar meteorites arrive from random impact locations across the Moon's entire surface. Troctolitic anorthosites represent the Moon's primordial crust, formed when less dense plagioclase floated to the top of the global magma ocean while denser minerals sank to form the mantle. This differentiation process, completed within the first 100 million years of lunar history, created the bright highlands visible from Earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe melt breccia classification indicates this specimen experienced significant shock and heating from meteoroid bombardment. These impacts delivered enough energy to partially melt the surrounding rock, creating the matrix that welds together older crustal fragments. Study of lunar breccias helps reconstruct the bombardment history that cratered the Moon's surface and shaped its geological evolution. Collectors seeking to understand planetary formation processes will find detailed information at \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/learn-about-meteorites\"\u003eLearn About Meteorites\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this meteorite authenticated?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. NWA 17706 received official classification as a lunar troctolitic anorthosite melt breccia and appears in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.php?sea=NWA%2017706\u0026amp;sfor=names\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNWA 17706\u003c\/a\u003e. The specimen includes a certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does troctolitic anorthosite mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e Troctolitic anorthosite is a rock type dominated by plagioclase feldspar (anorthosite) with significant olivine content (the troctolitic component). This composition formed when the Moon's magma ocean crystallized, with these minerals floating to form the primordial crust approximately 4.4 billion years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included with this specimen?\u003c\/strong\u003e You receive the complete 45.40g individual meteorite and certificate of authenticity documenting its classification and provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow did this rock get from the Moon to Earth?\u003c\/strong\u003e A large meteoroid impact on the Moon excavated material from depth and ejected it into space at velocities exceeding lunar escape velocity (2.4 km\/s). The ejected fragments orbited the Sun until gravitational interactions sent them on Earth-crossing trajectories, resulting in atmospheric entry and recovery in Algeria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is this called a complete individual?\u003c\/strong\u003e This specimen represents an entire fragment as it was found, with no cutting or modification. Complete individuals preserve the full context of their journey through space and atmospheric entry, making them particularly valued by collectors who want specimens in their natural state.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I verify this is the same specimen shown in these photographs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis stone is recorded under serial \u003cstrong\u003eTC-00002\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/specimen-record-tc-00002\"\u003especimen record\u003c\/a\u003e is a permanent page holding the classification data as published in the Meteoritical Bulletin, the recorded weight, and photographs of this exact stone. Meteorite surfaces, cut faces and clast patterns are individual to each stone, so a specimen in hand can be compared against those photographs and weighed against the recorded figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLunar meteorites comprise less than 0.The Meteoritical Bulletin database lists 830 lunar entries with a recorded mass as of September 2026, a count of database entries rather than separate falls. This complete individual offers collectors an unmodified piece of the Moon at a size substantial enough to display the characteristic brecciated texture. The 45.40g mass places it well above the typical fragment size, providing excellent display presence while documenting the Moon's crustal composition and impact history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe troctolitic anorthosite classification specifically represents the Moon's oldest crustal materials, formed during the magma ocean stage before the late heavy bombardment cratered the surface. Collectors building comprehensive lunar collections or focusing on planetary differentiation processes will find this specimen particularly relevant. Additional lunar specimens and related materials can be explored at \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lunar-meteorites\"\u003eLunar Meteorites\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteoritical Bulletin entry: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.php?sea=NWA%2017706\u0026amp;sfor=names\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNWA 17706\u003c\/a\u003e | Classification: Lunar (troctolitic anorthosite, melt breccia) | Find, Algeria, 2024\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecimen record\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specimen is serialized as \u003cstrong\u003eTC-00002\u003c\/strong\u003e and is issued with a certificate card bearing that serial. The serial indexes a permanent public record maintained by Treasure Coast Meteorite Co., and every issued serial is listed in the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/specimen-registry\"\u003eSpecimen Registry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44864604635183,"sku":"NWA-17706-45.40G-INDIVIDUAL","price":3400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/9724\/9839\/files\/nwa-17706-lunar-meteorite-45-40g-complete-individual-display-stand.heic?v=1769835689","url":"https:\/\/www.tcmeteorites.com\/products\/nwa-17706-lunar-meteorite-individual-troctolitic-anorthosite-melt-breccia-45-40g-complete-stone-from-earths-moon","provider":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}