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Micrometeorites

This cryptocrystalline micrometeorite has a bizarre crack

NMM 1075 is a cryptocrystalline micrometeorite discovered and photographed by Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen and Jan Braly Kihle.

February 7, 2023

Today I am delighted to present a sumptuously sculptural cryptocrystalline (CC-type) micrometeorite.

NMM 1075 is an opaque black cryptocrystalline with classic “turtleback” features. This striking extraterrestrial particle is characterized by large olivine pyramids that resemble mountains on a miniature planet. Measuring approximately 0.4 mm, which is quite an average size, NMM 1075 has no visible nickel-iron and few magnetite “Christmas trees” on its surface.

Of course the question that comes to my mind is whether this is a result of formation during atmospheric entry or a clue to the little rock’s precursor in space?

Naturally, the photo at the top of this blog post is by Jan Braly Kihle and me. Enjoy! Below I am delighted to share two scanning electron microscope (SEM) images taken by myself and Siri Simonsen at the University of Oslo.

SEM image of cryptocrystalline micrometeorite NMM 1075 by Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen and Siri Simonsen — This is a backscatter SEM image of NMM 1075 from the electron microscope. Note the crack across the stone. I only see such cracks on large CC-type micrometeorites like this one. Could the crack be caused by stress during solidification and recrystallization? Or is there a large metal core inside, which wants to get out? Image by Siri Simonsen and Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen at the University of Oslo. © Project Stardust, 2023.

Detail SEM image of cryptocrystalline micrometeorite NMM 1075 by Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen and Siri Simonsen — And heree is a detail SEM image of the peculiar crack across the large pyramidal olivine (forsterite) crystal domain. Image by Siri Simonsen and Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen. © Project Stardust, 2023.

So, what do you think? What could have caused a crack such as this on a micrometeorite and why do such cracks only seem to occur on similar cryptocrystalline spherules?

Share your thoughts with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. And be sure to peruse our books and limited edition fine art on the Project Stardust website.

Yours truly,

Jon Larsen

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Together we have amassed the world's most expansive collection of micrometeorites and we can't wait to share it with you.

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This season's collection features a variety of stunning micrometeorites. From mountainous cryptocrystalline turtlebacks and bewitching glass spherules to ultra rare giants. Available for a limited time only.

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NMM 1448: V-TYPE

NMM 1448: V-TYPE

Glass / Vitreous

Glass or vitreous type (V-type) micrometeorites each a temperature of up to 2000°C (3600°F) as they descend through the atmosphere..

These delicate, translucent spherules are difficult to find due to their lack of magnetism, since most of their metals evaporated during descent.

NMM 1359: CC-TYPE

Crypto-crystalline

Cryptocrystalline (CC-type) micrometeorites are composed of glassy particles with fine-grained crystallites that are too small to recognize as individual grains.

Many of these magnificent spherules feature metal beads and aerodynamic forms, while others have a "turtleback" shape with humps distributed evenly around the spherule.

NMM 1359: CC-TYPE

NMM 500: BO-TYPE

Barred Olivine

Barred olivine (BO-type) spherules are coarse-grained micrometeorites made of the magnesium variety of the mineral olivine, forsterite, which is punctuated with small particles of magnetite.

The surface features striations that are formed when iron reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere.

NMM 500: BO-TYPE

NMM 1149: PO-TYPE

Porphyritic Olivine

Porphyritic olivine (PO-type) micrometeorites are also made of forsterite, a type of olivine that is made of magnesium.

There are many morphological varieties of this type of micrometeorite; From evenly distributed small crystals, to crystals that increase in side, to extremely large or even possibly a single olivine crystal.

NMM 1149: PO-TYPE

NMM 1271: Sc-TYPE

Scoriaceous

When stardust does not reach a peak temperature of at least 1350°C (2500°F) during entry and deceleration, it barely melts. Volatile elements expand and escape in the form of gas bubbles, which results in a scoriaceous (SC-type) or vesicular micrometeorite.

Micrometeorites of this type are extremely difficult to find.

NMM 1271: SC-TYPE

NMM 1271: G-, I-, CAT-typeS

Other Types

From G-types with dark silicate glass, I-types dominated by iron, and milky CAT spherules enriched with calcium, aluminum, and titanium, to fossil, unmelted, and un-categorized micrometeorites.

There is no question that Jon Larsen and Jan Braly Kihle's contributions have had a dramatic effect on the field.

NMM 1271: G-/I-/CAT-TYPES

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ORIGIN STORIES

Jon Larsen revolutionized the study of micrometeorites when he became the first person to discover a micrometeorite from an urban environment. Then a new form of art emerged when he and Jan Braly Kihle created the world's first high resolution photographs of micrometeorites in colour.

Learn about the singular moment that led to Jon's groundbreaking discovery
and the phone call that kickstarted a truly epic friendship.

Jon Larsen revolutionized the study of micrometeorites when he became the first person to discover a micrometeorite from an urban environment. Then a new form of art emerged when he and Jan Braly Kihle created the world's first high resolution photographs of micrometeorites in colour.

Learn about the singular moment that led to Jon's groundbreaking discovery and the phone call that kickstarted a truly epic friendship.

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Micrometeorites

Jon Larsen and Jan Braly Kihle have amassed the world's most expansive collection of urban micrometeorites and they want you to follow in their footsteps.

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