Collection
Classification: Ordinary chondrite H5 (High iron)
Observed fall: No
Year found: 2024
City, Country: Adrar, Algeria
Mass: 10 kg
In collection
Weight #1 : 119,7 g
Certificate of authenticity: Yes (1)
Plateau du Tademait 012 is an ordinary chondrite meteorite classified as an H5 (High iron) chondrite. Discovered in the Tademait Plateau region of Algeria, this meteorite is part of a group characterized by a relatively high iron content compared to other chondrites. The “5” in its classification indicates that it has undergone moderate thermal metamorphism on its parent asteroid, resulting in well-equilibrated minerals and a recrystallized texture. Studying meteorites like Plateau du Tademait 012 provides valuable insights into the thermal history and composition of asteroidal bodies in the early solar system.
When examining a H5 (High iron) meteorite under a light microscope, several distinctive features can be observed:
Olivine and Pyroxene:The primary silicate minerals in H5 chondrites are olivine ((Mg,Fe)_2SiO₄) and orthopyroxene ((Mg,Fe)SiO₃). Under plane-polarized light, these minerals exhibit high relief and are generally colorless to pale green or yellow.
In H5 chondrites, chondrules—the spherical, once-molten silicate droplets typical in chondritic meteorites—are less distinct due to thermal metamorphism.
