ChronoRelix - Fine meteorites & minerals

Important Notes

• Weight may vary by ±0.01g due to environmental factors such as humidity.
• Dimensions are approximate and may differ depending on the measurement method.
• Background items, including the 1cm scale cube, are not included.

Overview

Rafsa 004 is an officially classified angrite meteorite, discovered in 2021 near Tindouf, Algeria. Angrites are a rare group of plutonic achondrites, believed to have formed through volcanic processes on early planetary bodies over 4.5 billion years ago.

This meteorite exhibits a coarse-grained, protogranular texture, featuring calcium-bearing olivine, titanoan aluminian augite, anorthite, and spinel. Notably, approximately half of its kamacite content has undergone iron oxide alteration, indicating exposure to terrestrial weathering processes.

Officially recognized in Meteoritical Bulletin No. 112, Rafsa 004 is part of an elite group of only 54 classified angrites, making it a scientifically valuable specimen for research and collection.

Collector Highlights

• Rare plutonic angrite, one of only 54 approved specimens
• Distinctive mineral composition, including high-calcium olivine and aluminian augite
• Two-piece structure (218 g & 81.4 g) with a dark brown exterior
• Moderate weathering, preserving key petrographic features
• Documented Meteoritical Society classification, ensuring scientific authenticity

Scientific & Historical Significance

Angrites are among the oldest known igneous rocks in the Solar System, offering crucial insights into early planetary differentiation and volcanic activity. Their unique geochemical properties make them important analogs for studying planetary crust formation, potentially linked to early protoplanetary bodies or the disrupted remains of planetesimals.

Rafsa 004 is compositionally related to NWA 2999, NWA 3164, and NWA 12822, suggesting a shared parentage among these plutonic angrites. Such specimens are highly sought after by researchers studying planetary evolution and meteoritic differentiation.

• Highly stable mineral structure, ideal for advanced petrological analysis
• Potential analog to early differentiated planetary crusts
• An essential specimen for planetary science collections

Rafsa 004 is more than just a rare meteorite—it represents a solidified remnant of the early Solar System’s volcanic history, providing a direct window into pre-planetary processes over 4 billion years ago.

(For specific classification data, refer to the official table below.)

Official Classification & Discovery Data