Northwest Africa 14056 (NWA 14056) – Exceptional HED Achondrite (Diogenite) More
Northwest Africa 14056 (NWA 14056) – Exceptional HED Achondrite (Diogenite)
NWA 14056 is a remarkable example of an HED achondrite (diogenite), a meteorite believed to originate from the crust of the asteroid Vesta, one of the largest bodies in the asteroid belt. This meteorite was discovered in 2020 by meteorite hunters in northern Mali and purchased by a consortium of meteorite collectors in 2021.
Key Information:
- Type: HED achondrite (Diogenite – Monomict Breccia)
- Location of Discovery: Northern Mali (Northwest Africa)
- Acquisition Date: 2021
- Meteorite weight: 1.128 grams
Physical Characteristics:
- The meteorites display macroscopically visible brecciation with angular and subrounded clasts, ranging from millimeters in size, embedded in a fine-grained yellowish matrix.
- Some specimens retain remnants of fusion crust formed during atmospheric entry.
Petrographic Features:
- NWA 14056 is classified as a monomict achondritic breccia, meaning it is composed of a single type of material—diogenitic clasts (lithic clasts and pyroxene fragments) embedded in fine-grained related debris.
- Accessory minerals include chromite (up to 800 µm in size), troilite, and small amounts of metal that has undergone terrestrial alteration.
Geochemical Composition:
- Pyroxene Composition: Fs₂₇.₇±₀.₅ Wo₁.₅±₀.₃ (range: Fs₂₆.₈–₂₈.₃, Wo₁.₁–₂.₀; n=11)
- Fe/Mn (atomic ratio): 28.2
Classification:
This meteorite is classified as a diogenite (monomict), meaning it is a breccia composed predominantly of diogenitic material. Diogenites belong to the HED meteorite group (howardites, eucrites, and diogenites) and are believed to originate from differentiated bodies, most likely asteroid Vesta.
Specimens:
The total weight of the meteorite is approximately 11.6 kg. The largest pieces are held by:
- Miguel Angel Contreras: 5.3 kg (largest piece 3.5 kg)
- Sean Mahoney: 2.9 kg
- Mohamed Ali Loud: 2.1 kg
- Mark Lyon: 1.3 kg
Why is NWA 14056 Unique?
NWA 14056 represents a pristine piece of material from a differentiated planetary crust, making it invaluable for scientific study and a must-have for collectors. This meteorite allows you to own a tangible piece of the early solar system's building blocks and serves as an extraordinary addition to any meteorite collection.