zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Hi All,
Fusion crust has taken on a renewed importance in the authentication of specimens. But beyond its utilitarian use, it is really a sheen of solidified lava that reflects both the turmoil of the meteorite’s arrival on earth, but also expresses the individual chemical makeup of the space rock when melted.
From foamy jet-black, to tar-like shiny plastic, to milky brown paint, fusion crust is a characteristic of meteorites whose value only appreciates, and beauty only grows as one delves deeper into meteorite collecting. Here are a dozen examples of crust from my collection. Each is a testament to the extraordinary and individual nature of these beasts.
Enjoy.
Bialystok, Poland
Howardite
Fell: October 5, 1827
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Pavel, Bulgaria
H5 Chondrite
Fell: February 28, 1966
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Pasamonte, New Mexico, USA
Eucrite
Fell: March 24, 1933
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Selakopi, Indonesia
H5 Chondrite
Fell: September 26, 1939
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Binda, Australia
Howardite
Fell: May 25, 1912
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Alfianello, Italy
L6 Chondrite
Fell: February 16, 1883
This monster slice is well over a kilogram. Note the little centimeter cube peeking out in the lower left.
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Ibbenbüren, Germany
Diogenite
Fell: June 17, 1870
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Murchison, Australia
CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite
Fell: September 28, 1969
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Goalpara, India
Ureilite
Discovered in 1868 among the mineral and gem specimens provided to the Calcutta Museum by the Rajah of Goalpara.
It is presumed that the Goalpara meteorite was witnessed to fall which is how it wound up in a gem collection. It is not assumed that the Rajah of Goalpara knew that this class of meteorite called Ureilite actually contains diamonds, which it does.
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Zabrodje, Belarus
L6 Chondrite
Fell: September 22, 1893
This meteorite fell as a single stone right through the roof of a house.
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Haraiya, India
Eucrite, Monomict
Fell: August 1878
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
Aubrite
Fell: April 9, 1919
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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These specimens are absolutely beautiful! 
Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos of them!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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Awesome Images,Martin. Those are some of the best looking specimens I have ever seen.
It is interesting comparing the differences in the fusion crust from each individual type of Meteorite. Though I would be more the happy to give any of the pictured specimens a place to call home.
But the sheer pressure,heat,and speed that each meteorite is subjected to during its descent is incredible.Its amazing with them experiencing these processes, that any would or could survive.
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
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wow!
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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Ed Fortier
member
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 77
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wow, indeed.
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Dick Lipke
super member
Reged: 02/20/07
Posts: 115
Loc: Marine City,Mich.
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Not to seem to repetitive,but WOW!
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LX90 8",Cornado Max 40,Miyauchi 20x100 Bino's,and way to many eyepieces and filters,
Thousand Oaks 8" Ha filter
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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While going through a few pieces to place for sale at my store, I ran across this little piece with some of its Fusion Crust still in place.
This is a Specimen of NWA 869:
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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Post deleted by Talstarone
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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Post deleted by Talstarone
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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