H5
TKW 30 kg. Fall not observed. Found 1986, Hammadah al Hamra, Libya.
jnmczurich writes:
Between 1986 and 1988, oil and gas prospectors found meteorite samples more or less accidentally in the Libyan Hammada al Hamra, Gharyan region. The collected meteorites were examined and classified at the MPI-Mainz/Germany and published as DARAJ meteorite samples (synonym “Derj”). See also MB No. 67 (1989).
While I was looking into the bottom level of my collection boxes, some of these now almost "historic" desert finds have reappeared and came to my desk. The old Daraj finds are probably not known to most collectors and therefore maybe quite interesting to many collectors. The numbering of the Daraj meteorites is a bit confusing, because the numbers starting with 001 to 020 and then continuing with 101 to 144. That's it. The numbers 021 to 100 don't exist.
Pictures 1 to 3 show two Daraj 001 samples (fragment 118.4 g, end piece with polished face 161.5 g). Daraj 001 (and pairings 004, 008, 013, 019, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 120, 125, 135, 136, 139, 142), H5 chondrite, total weight approx. 20 kg, 65 stones. 14C Radiocarbon dating, terrestrial age 3.5±1.3 ka.
Pictures 4 to 7 show a Daraj 002 corner fragment with a large polished face, 170.4 g. The unusual thick crust is striking. Thickness of the crust is 1.5 to 1.8 mm, measured with a caliper. Daraj 002 (and pairing 010, 017), L4 chondrite, total weight approx. 4.4 kg, three fragments. 14C Radiocarbon dating terrestrial age 5.8±1.3 ka.
Picture 8 shows a thick slice of Daraj 005, 108.5g, polished on both sides. Heavy shock veins are clearly visible in this meteorite, Maskelynite has been proven. Daraj 005 (and pairings 003, 007, 014, 107, 111, 128), total weight approx. 2.68 kg.
Pictures 9 to 12 show the polished end piece / half stone of Daraj 133, 145.6 g. On one side, a chondrule fell out long time ago. Blown surface of the chondrite by abrasive desert wind. Daraj 133 (no pairings known), H4 chondrite, total weight 313 g, single stone.
The pairing information is based on MetBase 7.2 (2005) and my old records from that time, when I was able to acquire the Daraj samples in 1987 (and some more Daraj samples, but they left me a long time ago).
|