5 - Slice of Brahin Pallasite Meteorite, (PMG)

Slice of Brahin Pallasite Meteorite, (PMG) This is a complete slice of a meteorite with extraterrestrial gems featuring olivine clusters. The metallic matrix has been etched and a robust medium octahedral crystalline pattern, that is the signature for Brahin meteorites, is in evidence. The space between the olivine clusters provides a terrific look at the metallic crystalline lattice. Originating from a shattered asteroid, this is a select specimen of a transitional pallasitic meteorite. Modern cutting. Weight: ca. 850 grams. LOCATION: Belarus (Russia) in the region of Gomel near the village of Kaporenki in the Brahin District (52°30′N 30°20′E). HISTORY: – This is the second meteorite ever found in Russia (nowadays Belarus). In 1807 two masses of 80 kilograms (180 lb) and 20 kilograms (44 lb) were found by farmers of Kaporenki, a village in the district of Bragin. The Meteorites were found in a zone about 15 kilometer (9.3 mi) long and 3 kilometer (1.9 mi) wide crossed by the Dnieper River. The meteorites were sent to scientists by the administrator of the district: Graf Rakitsky, State Advisor and Ex Honorio Inspector of The Schools Of Rechitsky Uezd. Since 1807 several masses were recovered from the site. – During World War II, samples of Brahin were stolen in Kiev by German soldiers and some samples disappeared also in Minsk. In 2002 a single mass of 227 kilograms was found at a depth of 3 meters at the northern end of Brahin strewn field. COMPOSITION AND CLASSIFICATION: – Brahin is a Main Group pallasite, with angular shaped olivine embedded in an iron-nickel matrix. Olivine crystals represent about 37% of the weight of the meteorite. Size: ca. 28 x 17.5 x 0.5 cm. PROVENANCE: German private collection. Comes with a certificate of meteorite identification from the University of Alberta and is signed by dr. Christopher Herd, professor and curator of the University of Alberta Meteorite Collection. NOTE: – Pallasites is one of the rarer types of meteorites and representing only about 0.2% of all known meteorites, they are also widely considered the most beautiful meteorites, and Imilac is among the most coveted. It has been proposed that pallasites represents the interface between the stone mantle and the metal core of differentiated asteroids. – The crystals seen in this Brahin meteorite are the result of small chunks of the stony mantle becoming suspended in the molten metal of the core. Cut and polished, the lustrous metallic matrix features crystals of gleaming olivine ranging in hues from emerald to amber. The prominent metallic latticework referred to as a Widmanstätten pattern is indicative of a slow cooling rate that provided sufficient time — millions of years — for the two primary alloys to form the present crystalline structure. This pattern is diagnostic in the identification of an iron meteorite and different iron meteorites have different patterns.