{"product_id":"meteorite-nwa-10256","title":"Meteorite NWA 10256","description":"\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNWA 10256 (CR2 Carbonaceous Chondrite) – Africa, 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenuine meteorite in removable specimen jar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCertificate of Authenticity (COA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreestanding acrylic educational display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack cotton-padded box, perfect for gifting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis display contains an authentic slice of \u003c\/span\u003eNWA 10256\u003cspan\u003e, a rare \u003c\/span\u003eCR2 carbonaceous chondrite\u003cspan\u003e meteorite recovered in 2015 in Northwest Africa. Its structure contains abundant ancient \u003c\/span\u003echondrules\u003cspan\u003e, rounded mineral grains that formed more than 4.5 billion years ago from molten material in the cloud of gas and dust surrounding our young Sun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe meteorite is also known to contain rare \u003c\/span\u003ecalcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs)\u003cspan\u003e. These remarkable grains are the oldest dated solid objects in our Solar System, having formed at its very beginning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNWA 10256 also preserves evidence of another surprisingly familiar ingredient: \u003c\/span\u003ewater\u003cspan\u003e. After its original materials accumulated into an asteroid, liquid water reacted with some of its minerals, leaving behind a chemical record of conditions on a primitive planetary body billions of years before oceans existed on Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis meteorite also has an unusual connection to NASA's Stardust mission, which returned microscopic particles from comet 81P\/Wild 2 to Earth. In a 2017 study, researchers used powdered NWA 10256 as an experimental analog for the cometary material, firing it into silica aerogel at 6.1 km\/s—the same impact speed experienced by Wild 2 particles during Stardust collection. The experiment showed that magnetite from the meteorite could survive this violent capture process, supporting the interpretation that magnetite found in the actual comet samples was indigenous and may record aqueous alteration—interaction with liquid water—within the comet’s parent body. In other words, NWA 10256 helped scientists test how to interpret material brought back from a comet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach genuine meteorite fragment is housed in a museum-inspired display that turns this ancient scientific specimen into an object you can appreciate every day. Natural variations make every piece unique. You will receive one of several slices we have available of this genuine meteorite, most around 1cm in size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating gift for space enthusiasts, scientists, collectors, teachers, and anyone who wants to hold a tangible piece of the Solar System's earliest history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chronarium Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44171922604119,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/1666\/5175\/files\/table4-zoomed_cd8498d0-b0dc-4c1f-9d47-164592ce2c2a.png?v=1786852962","url":"https:\/\/chronariumcollection.com\/products\/meteorite-nwa-10256","provider":"Chronarium Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}