This rare and unique meteorite, Bechar 008, is a piece of history from Asteroid 4 Vesta. Weighing 197.50 grams, this Howardite specimen is an endcut that showcases the intricate and fascinating patterns of minerals formed during its journey through the cosmos. It's the perfect addition to any collection of meteorites, especially HED's!! It comes with a COA card and display case.

This meteorite was discovered in Bechar, Algeria, and has been expertly preserved to maintain its natural beauty. Its composition and age make it a valuable and intriguing piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Name: Bechar 008

     This is an OFFICIAL meteorite name.

Abbreviation: There is no official abbreviation for this meteorite.

Observed fall: No

Year found: 2022

Country: Algeria

Mass: 1700 g

Bechar, Algeria

Purchased: 2022 Jul

Classification: HED achondrite (Howardite)

History: Reportedly a group of meteorite hunters found several fragments of this material in Algeria, in an area called Alagla (near Abadla) in July 2022. Several months later Mohamed Ali Loud bought a total of 1700 g from a meteorite dealer in Mauritania.

Petrography (K. Metzler, IfP) Polymict achondritic breccia, consisting of mineral fragments and lithic clasts up to ~5 mm in size. These components are embedded in a fine-grained clastic matrix of related debris. Lithic clasts are dominated by eucritic gabbros and granulites, both of which show exsolved pyroxene. Mineral fragments include various eucritic pyroxenes (with and without augite exsolution lamellae), diogenitic pyroxene, feldspar, a silica polymorph, chromite, ilmenite, and Fe-Ni metal. About 10-20 vol% diogenitic components.

Geochemistry: Mineral compositions and geochemistry: Gabbro clast: Low-Ca pyroxene (host): Fs60.6±0.5 Wo3.1±0.2 (Fs59.9-61.2 Wo2.8-3.3); mean Fe/Mn (at.): 30.3; n=6. Ca-rich pyroxene (exsolution lamellae) Fs28.8±1.4 Wo40.9±1.5 (Fs27.4-30.5 Wo38.8-42.6); mean Fe/Mn (at.): 31.5; n=6. Plagioclase: An86.8±1.8 Or0.3±0.3 (An85.4-89.4 Or0.0-0.8); n=6. Diogenitic pyroxene: Fs22.5±0.5 Wo2.0±0.3 (Fs21.5-23.2 Wo1.5-2.4); mean Fe/Mn (at.): 32.6; n=7. Plagioclase fragments from clastic matrix: An89.6±3.6 Or0.5±0.4 (An82.5-95.7 Or0.1-1.1); n=11.

Classification: Howardite, based on mineral chemistry, variety of eucritic lithologies, and occurrence of >10 vol% of diogenitic components.

Data from:

  MB112

  Table 0

  Line 0:

State/Prov/County:Bechar

Place of purchase:Mauritania

Date:P 2022 Jul

Latitude:30.25293 N

Longitude:3.53005 W

Mass (g):1700

Pieces:Several

Class:Howardite

Shock stage:moderate

Weathering grade:low

Ferrosilite (mol%):60.6±0.5; 28.8±1.4; 22.5±0.5

Wollastonite (mol%):3.1±0.2; 40.9±1.5; 2.0±0.3

Classifier:K. Metzler, IfP

Type spec mass (g):20

Type spec location:IfP

Main mass:Mohamed Ali Loud

Comments:Submitted by K. Metzler, IfP