Collection
Classification: Lunar Feldspathic Breccia
Observed fall: No
Year found: 2022
City, Country: Algeria
Mass: 2,09 kg
In collection
Weight #1 : 77 g
Certificate of authenticity: Yes (1)
Bechar 003 is a Lunar Feldspathic Breccia—a rare type of meteorite that originated from the Moon’s ancient highlands crust. Discovered as a fragment from the lunar surface, it is composed predominantly of plagioclase-rich materials, reflecting the highland’s feldspathic nature. The rock’s brecciated texture, formed by the welding together of various mineral and rock fragments through repeated impact events, offers a direct glimpse into the violent, impact-driven history that shaped the lunar crust. Studying Bechar 003 provides researchers with valuable insights into the composition, evolution, and collisional environment of the early Moon.
Under a light microscope, a thin section of Bechar 003 – Lunar Feldspathic Breccia reveals a chaotic assemblage of angular to subrounded mineral and lithic clasts embedded within a fine-grained matrix. The primary constituent is plagioclase feldspar, appearing as clear or slightly cloudy grains, often fractured or displaying shock-induced features. Interspersed among these feldspathic fragments are smaller amounts of pyroxene and, less commonly, olivine, contributing subtle variations in relief and interference colors under polarized light. Darker, glassy melt veins or pockets may be visible, reflecting the high-impact environment on the lunar surface. Overall, the microscopic view shows a complex, jumbled texture indicative of repeated impacts and regolith gardening processes that have shaped the Moon’s ancient crust.
