NMM 477 - Smestad

The large (~0.45 mm) micrometeorite is the textbook example of an intermediate stage between barred olivine (BO) and cryptocrystalline (CC). The stripy surface texture points towards a BO type, but the typical “turtleback” topography points towards a cryptocrystalline stone.

The result is an unusually sculptural beauty. This little Space rock is a museum-quality specimen and a jewel in any collection. It was found during the very first field season with verifications of real micrometeorites, December 2015, in a rain gutter at Nittedal outside Oslo, Norway. The field search is described in the book “Star Hunter.”

 

PROVENANCE: The catalogue number refers to the NMM archive, the index of Jon Larsen’s Project Stardust collection, which is the reference collection for urban micrometeorites. The stone was found, curated, and selected by Larsen. It is in pristine condition, fresh from Space. Follow Jon Larsen’s Project Stardust and get exclusive micrometeorite content: https://www.patreon.com/c/ProjectStardust826

 

VERIFICATION: The MM has been confirmed extraterrestrial by visual identification and/or SEM/EDS analysis by Jon Larsen. The stone is mounted on a durable aluminium/glass/cardboard microslide and is delivered together with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and four photo files. This micrometeorite is a unique museum-quality specimen and a jewel in any collection.