Rafsa 005 Plutonic Angrite Meteorite Individual, 0.61g, Coarse-Grained Igneous Texture

Coarse-grained igneous structure from slow planetary cooling

This 0.61g Rafsa 005 individual displays the characteristic coarse-grained texture that defines plutonic angrites. The specimen's crystalline structure formed deep within a differentiated parent body, where slow cooling allowed large mineral grains to develop over millions of years. The visible texture reflects pyroxene and olivine crystals that grew under conditions impossible to replicate on Earth, extreme reducing environments on a small planetary body that differentiated and cooled over 4.5 billion years ago.

Rafsa 005 represents one of only twelve recognized angrite meteorites worldwide. This individual provides direct access to ancient planetary processes that occurred during the earliest epoch of Solar System formation, when small bodies briefly sustained magmatic systems before cooling completely.

Plutonic texture and mineralogy

The coarse grain size in this specimen indicates crystallization deep within the parent body's crust or upper mantle, where insulating rock allowed magma to cool over extended timescales. Individual mineral grains reach sizes visible to the unaided eye, distinguishing plutonic angrites from their volcanic counterparts. The primary mineralogy consists of Al-Ti-rich diopside, olivine, and kirschsteinite, with minor anorthite, an assemblage that crystallized under oxygen fugacity conditions sixteen orders of magnitude below terrestrial basalts.

This extreme reducing environment produced unique mineral chemistry not found in any terrestrial rock or other meteorite group. The coarse texture preserves a complete record of the thermal and chemical conditions during parent body differentiation.

Scientific context

Angrites derive from a small differentiated asteroid that formed a metallic core, silicate mantle, and basaltic crust within the first few million years of Solar System history. Plutonic angrites like Rafsa 005 crystallized at depth, while volcanic angrites represent surface flows. Both subtypes share identical oxygen isotope signatures and radiometric ages near 4.56 billion years, confirming they originated from the same parent body.

The angrite parent body experienced complete differentiation and subsequent disruption, scattering fragments that now reach Earth as meteorites. Each specimen provides constraints on early planetary thermal evolution, core formation timescales, and the behavior of magmatic systems on bodies too small to retain internal heat. Advanced collectors studying planetary formation processes will find detailed information in our Learn About Meteorites reference guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? Rafsa 005 holds official classification as a plutonic angrite in the Meteoritical Bulletin. You can verify the classification details via the Meteoritical Bulletin Database. This specimen includes a certificate of authenticity documenting its provenance and classification.

What makes plutonic angrites different from volcanic angrites? Plutonic angrites crystallized slowly at depth within the parent body, producing coarse-grained textures with large visible mineral crystals. Volcanic angrites erupted onto the surface and cooled rapidly, resulting in fine-grained textures. Both subtypes share the same parent body and formation age, but preserve different cooling histories.

What is included with this specimen? This listing includes the 0.61g Rafsa 005 individual, certificate of authenticity with classification details, and a protective display box for storage and presentation.

Why are angrites so scientifically significant? Angrites represent some of the oldest differentiated igneous rocks in the Solar System, with crystallization ages predating Earth's formation. They preserve a complete record of planetary differentiation processes, core formation, and magmatic evolution on small bodies, conditions that existed only briefly in Solar System history and cannot be studied in any other material.

Institutional and advanced collector value

With only twelve recognized angrite meteorites worldwide, specimens from this group remain among the most sought-after materials in meteoritics. Plutonic angrites constitute an even smaller subset, offering researchers and collectors access to deep-crustal igneous processes on a vanished planetary body. This 0.61g individual provides an accessible entry point into angrite collecting while maintaining the scientific significance that makes this group essential for institutions studying early Solar System chronology.

The coarse texture in this specimen allows direct observation of the igneous structure without magnification, making it suitable for both research applications and educational displays. Collectors building comprehensive achondrite suites will find Rafsa 005 essential for representing the angrite group. Browse additional differentiated meteorite specimens in our Angrites collection and explore related materials in our Premium Specimens category.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: Rafsa 005 | Classification: Angrite (plutonic) | Find, Algeria, 2023