Rabt Sbayta 007 Lunar Meteorite Slice, Feldspathic Breccia, 2.60g, Slice

Lunar slice with visible brecciation

This 2.60g slice of Rabt Sbayta 007 displays the characteristic texture of a feldspathic breccia, angular fragments of lunar highland crust embedded in a fine-grained matrix. The slice preserves the full cross-section of the original fragment, showing variation in clast density and size distribution across the specimen. Lighter feldspathic clasts contrast against darker matrix material, creating natural visual zonation within the slice.

Feldspathic breccias form when impact events on the lunar surface shatter and mix older crustal rocks. The resulting fragments lithify under the heat and pressure of subsequent impacts, creating the consolidated breccia texture visible in this specimen. At 2.60g, this slice represents a complete section suitable for both study and display.

Lunar highland breccia structure

The specimen shows angular to subangular clasts ranging from submillimeter to several millimeters in diameter. These lithic fragments originated from the lunar highlands, the ancient, heavily cratered regions that dominate the Moon's far side and much of the near side outside the maria. The clasts consist primarily of plagioclase feldspar, the mineral that gives the lunar highlands their light color when viewed from Earth.

The fine-grained matrix binding these clasts formed from pulverized rock and impact melt during the brecciation process. This matrix material filled spaces between larger fragments and solidified to create the coherent rock structure. The boundaries between clasts and matrix remain clearly defined throughout the slice, documenting the mechanical mixing that occurred during formation.

Scientific context

Rabt Sbayta 007 belongs to the feldspathic breccia category of lunar meteorites, representing material from the Moon's ancient crust. The lunar highlands formed over 4 billion years ago as the Moon's initial magma ocean crystallized, with low-density plagioclase feldspar floating to the surface to create the anorthositic crust. Billions of years of impact bombardment subsequently fractured and mixed this crustal material.

Lunar meteorites reach Earth after high-energy asteroid impacts on the Moon launch surface material into space at velocities exceeding the Moon's escape velocity of 2.38 km/s. These fragments orbit the Sun until gravitational interactions bring them into Earth's path. Feldspathic breccias like Rabt Sbayta 007 provide ground truth data for lunar highland composition, complementing analyses from Apollo samples collected exclusively from near-side regions. Learn About Meteorites to understand the broader context of meteorite classification and origins.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Yes. Rabt Sbayta 007 is classified as Lunar (feldspathic breccia) in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database. You can verify this classification at the official Meteoritical Bulletin entry. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting its classification and provenance.

What does feldspathic breccia mean? Feldspathic breccia describes a rock composed predominantly of feldspar-rich fragments (clasts) that have been broken apart and recemented by impact processes. The term feldspathic indicates high plagioclase feldspar content, characteristic of lunar highland material, while breccia refers to the fragmented and lithified texture.

What is included with this specimen? This listing includes the 2.60g lunar meteorite slice, certificate of authenticity, specimen card with classification details, and protective display box.

How do we know this came from the Moon? Lunar meteorites are identified through multiple diagnostic criteria including oxygen isotope ratios, mineral chemistry, and trace element patterns that match Apollo return samples and differ from all terrestrial and other planetary materials. The feldspar composition and lack of weathering alteration products further confirm lunar origin.

Can I display this slice without additional protection? The specimen arrives in a display box suitable for immediate presentation. The slice is stable at room temperature and normal humidity. While lunar meteorites are less susceptible to terrestrial weathering than iron meteorites, long-term display in a case or the provided box protects the specimen from handling and environmental exposure.

Collector significance

Lunar meteorites represent some of the most accessible extraterrestrial material available to private collectors, offering direct ownership of Moon rock without the restrictions governing Apollo samples. Rabt Sbayta 007, classified in 2018, comes from a find that yielded material distributed to researchers and collectors worldwide. This complete slice format preserves the spatial relationships between clasts and matrix, making it more scientifically informative than partial fragments.

The 2.60g size provides substantial material for display while remaining accessible compared to larger lunar specimens. The slice format allows examination of internal structure impossible with exterior-only individuals, revealing the brecciation texture that documents the Moon's impact history. For collectors building representative suites of planetary materials, feldspathic breccias like this specimen complement mare basalts and other lunar rock types. Browse our complete selection of Lunar Meteorites to compare different lunar rock types and find dates.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: Rabt Sbayta 007 | Classification: Lunar (feldspathic breccia) | Find, Western Sahara, 2017