13.6g Howardite HED Achondrite I Amazing Meteorite from Vesta I NWA 18047

On Offer: 13.6 gram amazing HED achondrite howardite meteorite with official name NWA 18047. Official Name: NWA 18047 Type: HED Howardite Special Note: This particular specimen, while quite solid with no likelihood of breaking, displays significant shock and weathering fractures on the cut surface. Because of this "aesthetic" characteristic, we have discounted the specimen significantly. Another notable and more favorable characteristic of this specimen is a "dual lithology" with the majority of the specimen appearing to be composed of eucritic material, with a clear boundary separating it from a smaller more typical howardite lithology on the outer edge. Description: An interesting 13.6 gram HED howardite polymict breccia end piece with remnant fusion crust. Most meteorites classified as "howardite" are heavily brecciated with evidence of a high energy impact ejection event large enough to excavate material deep into the parent body's lower crust or upper mantle where the diogenitic components of the breccia are thought to be formed and exist. These high energy impact events are evidenced in this specimen by the existence of the diapplectic glass "maskelynite", which is a mineral glass created from plagioclase that has been transformed by intense impact shock waves. While olivine was not reported as a constituent in the analysis sample used for the classification of this polymict breccia, there appears to be some relatively large olivine mineral clasts visible in this specimen. Another very interesting feature of this meteorite fragment is that it displays fusion crust. The HED Meteorite Clan: petrological evidence and data from NASA's Dawn mission indicate that nearly monomineralic ultramafic orthopyroxenite, olivine-bearing, and the much more rare harzburgitic, and dunite diogenites formed alongside each other. They likely originated as cumulates within localized magma chambers (plutons) situated across Vesta's lower crust and the lower-crust/upper-mantle transition zone. While the eucrites represent more evolved plagioclase rich mafic upper to middle zone crustal material. The howardites were formed by impact mixing of the diogenitic and eucritic material both in situ and during ejection events. The HED meteorites are so named for the three types of meteorites that comprise the group; Howardite, Eucrite and Diogenite. The Eucrite and Diogenite are meteorites with distinct chemistries, while the Howardite is a mix of the eucritic and diogenitic material. The HEDs are differentiated achondritic meteorites, thought to originate from the large differentiated asteroid 4 Vesta. Vesta is one of the only asteroids visible with the naked eye and low powered telescopes. The Vesta parent body origin for the HED clan of meteorites is considered to have been conclusively established for many years. However, the late Dr. John Wasson, a planetary science researcher from UCLA had long held that the HED meteorite clan originated from another unknown Vesta-like asteroid that was blown apart long ago. This is because we also find a class of iron meteorites with nearly identical oxygen isotopes as the HED clan. This along with other research lead Dr. Wasson to conclude the HED clan of meteorites come from another differentiated V-type asteroid that was in a cataclysmic collision liberating part or all of its metal core along with the HED meteorites. However, this hypothesis does not necessarily rule out the possibility that a "reaccreted" Vesta and the smaller V-type asteroids collectively known as Vestoids along with the HED meteorites and the isotopically paired irons were all once part of a much larger dwarf planet prior to a massive collision with another large body. While most researchers consider the case mostly closed on this debate, the paradox of isotopically paired core metal raised by Dr. Wasson's hypothesis has not been resolved. This leaves some to speculate that perhaps we still have more to learn about this fascinating clan of achondrite meteorites and even Vesta itself. What you get: 13.6g Howardite meteorite specimen as shown, shipping/storage membrane box & signed Certificate of Authenticity. We offer a 100% no questions asked 30 day return policy. SEE OFFICIAL METEORITICAL SOCIETY ENTRY BELOW Northwest Africa 18047 Status: Official Basic information Name: Northwest Africa 18047 This is an OFFICIAL meteorite name. Abbreviation: NWA 18047 Observed fall: No Year found: 2025 Country: Mauritania Mass: 215 g Classification history: Meteoritical Bulletin, MB 114 (2026): Howardite Recommended: Howardite This is 1 of 497 approved meteorites classified as Howardite. Comments: Approved 5 Dec 2025 Writeup Writeup from MB 114: Northwest Africa 18047 (NWA 18047) Mauritania Purchased: 2025 Classification: HED achondrite (Howardite) History: Purchased remotely in 2025 by Mr. J. Eisler of Meteorite Creations from a dealer in Mauritania. Physical characteristics: Many fragments with a light gray interior and black specks with small bright metal blebs. Most fragments have a black glassy fusion crust on one side, indicating they may be part of a single mass. Petrography: (D. Dickens, LMAC ) This meteorite is a polymict breccia of mineral clasts and rare angular lithic clasts set in a fine grained matrix of similar composition. Minerals are diogenitic orthopyroxene, eucritic low-Ca pyroxene, eucritic pigeonite, eucritic augite, and calcic plagioclase. No olivine was found in the probe mount, but several large olivine grains were observed in hand samples. Accessory phases are kamacite, troilite, and chromite. The mode of eucritic to diogenitic material is estimated to be approximately 50 vol.% each but is difficult to measure with accuracy due to the extremely fine-grained matrix and disaggregated components. Most pigeonite shows exsolution. Mineral grains have considerable fractures. Kamacite is found throughout the sample embedded in mineral clasts, matrix and occasionally filling grain fractures. Geochemistry: (D. Dickens, LMAC and A. S. Bell, UColo) Diogenitic orthopyroxene Fs24.2±1.1Wo2.4±0.3, Fe/Mn=29±1, n=10. Eucritic low-Ca pyroxene Fs63.5±1.8Wo3.4±1.6, Fe/Mn=35±1, n=2. Eucritic pigeonite Fs52.9±4.1Wo11.1±2.7, Fe/Mn=33±1, n=4. Eucritic augite Fs32.3Wo39.9, Fe/Mn=37, n=1. Plagioclase An90.5±3.2Ab9.2±3.0 Or0.3±0.2, n=14. Classification: HED achondrite (Howardite) Specimens: Type specimen of 20 g at TCU. Remainder with Mr. J. Eisler, Meteorite Creations. Data from: MB114 Table 0 Line 0: Place of purchase: Mauritania Date: P 2025 Mass (g): 215 Pieces: Many Class: Howardite Shock stage: high Weathering grade: low Ferrosilite (mol%): 24.2±1.1, 63.5±1.8, 52.9±4.1, 32.3 Wollastonite (mol%): 2.4±0.3, 3.4±1.6, 11.1±2.7, 39.9 Classifier: D. Dickens, LMAC Type spec mass (g): 20 Type spec location: TCU Main mass: Mr. J. Eisler, Meteorite Creations Comments: Field name LMAC-700; submitted by Dustin Dickens