Since my discovery of the first urban micrometeorite six years ago, many new phenomena have been observed due to my prolific work. NMM 2123 is an intriguing and very rare micrometeorite, and I’m delighted to present it to you in this post.

It has features of both cryptocrystalline (CC) and glass/vitreous (V) type micrometeorites. Crystallization has been triggered by a large, nickel-iron bead in the front, which has grown backwards in the opposite direction of speed during atmospheric entry. Rapid cooling then caused solidification before the crystallization was completed, leaving the back part of the micrometeorite as a glass hemisphere.

The feature that I find most fascinating, however, is not beautiful iridescence on the glass. Instead, I am transfixed by the translucent olivine crystals growing on the border between the crystalline and amorphous part. Here, each crystal has been triggered by small secondary metal beads.

Out of the thousands of micrometeorites I have collected and analyzed, I have only observed this phenomenon three times. So, at this point, it is quite rare indeed. However, if we take the vast number of micrometeorites falling to Earth every day into consideration, perhaps we will find it is more common than we currently believe. The only way to find out, of course, is to collect more micrometeorites!

Well, my thirst for stardust hunting is ever growing and one of my central missions is to inspire more people around the globe to take up the hunt. Will you join me?

Come say “Hallo!” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn how you can take up the charge.

Yours truly,

Jon Larsen