Bob's Bulletin

A newsletter for "orphaned" meteorites from the USA.

Petrographic Description for Meteorite N031004

Field ID Number	N031004
Newsletter	Vol.01-4
Location	Nevada, USA
Thin-section ID Number	V-002
Dimensions	2.4cm x 2cm x 1.2cm
Weight	28.75 grams
Type Specimen	10.2gram endcut - plus thin-section .
Class	Ordinary Chondrite (most likely an equilibrated H-chondrite)
Weathering Grade	mid-range (but very likely above "W3")
Shock Stage	low (most likely "S2" or lower)
Macroscopic Description -- R. Verish
This is an individual stone. The exterior of this meteorite has cracks. The dark-brownish exterior of this chondrite is a relict fusion-crust. Stone appears to have experienced minimal mechanical weathering, yet chemical-weathering has attacked the groundmass. The interior is a dark-brown, dense matrix with very low metal-grain content, and few troilite grains. The chondrules and inclusions are indistinct.
Thin Section Description -- R. Verish
The section exhibits a narrow range of chondule sizes, in a dense groundmass of fine-grained silicates, troilite and rare metal. Very little evidence of mosaic shock effects. Silicates are equilibrated. This meteorite is probably a moderately weathered, low-shock stage, equilibrated H-chondrite. Name: Field ID# N031004 (orphanage number) - This meteorite might be paired to N081004, another ordinary chondrite from this locality.

USA Orphaned Meteorite Images for Specimen ID# N031004

The above example is one way in which I can bring attention to what I predict will be an increasing number of unclassified meteorites found here in the USA. Hopefully, attention will be drawn to what I see as a growing problem, and maybe some institution will offer to help get some of these orphans classified and cataloged.