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Lot #338
Northwest Africa (NWA) 11303 Lunar Meteorite Slice with Charlie Duke and Dave Scott Signed Photograph

Eye-catching slice of a lunar meteorite, paired with a photo signed by two moon rock–collecting moonwalkers

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

Eye-catching slice of a lunar meteorite, paired with a photo signed by two moon rock–collecting moonwalkers

Northwest Africa (NWA) 11303 lunar meteorite (feldspathic breccia) slice, with abundant brecciated material. The exceptional full polished slice weighs 1.6 grams and measures approximately 20 mm x 18 mm x 1 mm. Finished to an exceptionally high standard by one of the world's top meteorite-cutting experts. Accompanied by a specimen identification card from Aerolite Meteorites, as well as a desirable color glossy 11 x 8.5 color photo featuring an image of the lunar surface with a superimposed Shakespearean quote, signed in silver ink, "Dave Scott, Apollo 15 CDR" and "Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 LMP."

Northwest Africa (NWA) 11303, an actual fragment of our own moon, is one of the most visually appealing lunar meteorites known to science. Laboratory-polished faces reveal a variegated wealth of clasts of varying sizes and colors, clearly demonstrating the brecciated nature of this lunar regolith. These elegant and meticulously-finished slices were prepared by one of the leading experts in the business. Lunar meteorites often display a monotonous or homogeneous interior with a somewhat uniform color and texture, but the unusual brecciated, lively interior of NWA 11303 is fascinating to behold. A feldspathic breccia, its fragmented texture is partially the result of bombardment of the moon's surface by other meteorites, over an enormous span of time.

During Apollo 15, Dave Scott and Jim Irwin collected 170 pounds of lunar surface materials. Charlie Duke and John Young followed up those efforts by collecting 211 pounds of lunar rock and soil samples during their Apollo 16 EVAs. With an actual piece of the lunar surface that arrived on Earth as a meteorite, plus a handsome photograph signed by two moonwalkers who spent hours collecting moon rocks during their missions, this is a remarkable lot.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: #687 - Ended February 14, 2024





This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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