Hold a piece of the cosmos with this extraordinary Brenham pallasite slice. This remarkable specimen invites you to journey through space and time, making it an exquisite addition to your collection or a cherished gift for those fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. One side is etched to reveal the nickle-iron matrix, while the other is polished to a reflective sheen. Originating from the Brenham meteorite fall in Kansas, this pallasite slice is comprised of olivine crystals embedded in a metallic matrix, it's a prime example of the rare and enthralling stony-iron meteorite family, a true gem from space.
DIMENSIONS
Width: 3” Height: 3.25”
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
This Brenham slice is coated to prevent rust, however it should be kept dry and away from humidity as much as possible.
The
olivine crystals are fragile, therefore the pallasite slice should be handled with care.
ORIGINS
Parent Body: Pallasites like the Brenham meteorite are believed to originate from the boundary between the core and mantle of differentiated asteroids. In these parent bodies, dense, molten iron-nickel metal forms the core, while the silicate-rich mantle contains olivine.
Formation Process: The Brenham meteorite likely formed when the parent body was partially or fully molten. During cooling, olivine crystals settled into the iron-nickel metal, creating the distinctive texture seen in pallasites. The resulting rock represents a snapshot of the boundary between the core and mantle of the asteroid.
Impact Event and Arrival on Earth: At some point, the parent body of the Brenham pallasite experienced a significant collision with another body in space. This impact caused fragments of the asteroid, including pieces from the core-mantle boundary, to be ejected into space. Some of these fragments eventually intersected Earth’s orbit and fell as meteorites.