3 replies to this topic

[patindaytona]

Just bought my first meteorite. Since it's a fragment, I'm guessing that it didn't aquire a fusion crust passing thru the atmosphere. But can a fusion crust happen during moment of impact? Description said they  show some oxy-hydroxides due to terrestrial weathering.

[lee14]

Congratulations on your first specimen!

 

A fusion crust forms only during flight, as the passage through the atmosphere compresses the air molecules and heating them to incandescence, producing a very thin melt layer on the surface. Any coating formed after landing is a patina, which can be formed from several different terrestrial processes.

 

Lee

[patindaytona]

Congratulations on your first specimen!

 

A fusion crust forms only during flight, as the passage through the atmosphere compresses the air molecules and heating them to incandescence, producing a very thin melt layer on the surface. Any coating formed after landing is a patina, which can be formed from several different terrestrial processes.

 

Lee

Ah, compression causes it only. I had thought it might be a pantina. Mine is composed of 14% nickle supposedly doesn't rust well. Pantina probably is other mineral deposits. Thank Lee.
 

[auroraTDunn]

Congrats!

But we WARNED this becomes VERY addictive

Claims he with a full cabinet of meteorites, moldavites (including the largest one, length wise not by weight, found, at least as of 1993 or 4), and similar tektites.