Cross Section of the Imilac Meteorite

About the Item

“This 282 g interior section of the Imilac pallasite shows a large range of olivine grain sizes – there are coarse grains, grain clusters and fine-grained, crushed olivine debris. All of the olivine grains are surrounded by a matrix of metallic iron-nickel derived from the top of a molten core of a differentiated asteroid.” Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA Imilac - interior section Stony-iron, pallasite - PMG 8 1/4 inches (20.95 CM), 282 g This complete cross-sectional slice from the Imilac meteorite has been prepared to reveal shimmering olivine and peridot gems embedded in an iron-nickel metallic matrix. The magnificent honeycomb pattern shown here is characteristic of pallasite meteorites, of which Imilac is one of the finest. It was found in 1822 in the Atacama Desert – the most arid place on Earth – and is one of the most highly coveted pallasites thanks to its particularly high concentration in olivine. Pallasites are extremely rare, comprising less than 0.2% of known falls. These stony-irons formed at the very beginning of our solar system, fragments of an asteroid which differentiated, like our own planet, into a mantle and a core. Originating from the transitional core-mantle boundary, they were set free by a large collision which propelled them out of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and into an Earth-bound orbit. As well as being extraordinarily beautiful they are scientifically invaluable, helping us to understand the formation and structure of our planet, whose core is made of the same iron and nickel. Height on stand: 9 1/4 inches Provenance: Discovered in 1822 in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Published: ArtAncient, Extraterrestrial, 2022

Dimensions:

Height: 8.25 in (20.96 cm)Diameter: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Other

Period:

15th Century and Earlier

Date of Manufacture:

4.55 Billion Years Ago

Condition:

Seller Location:

London, GB

Reference Number: