Lunar meteorite NWA 17865 – 2,4g – Algeria

NWA 17865 is an exceptional lunar meteorite originating from the Algerian Sahara, discovered in 2025. In fact, it consists of two nearly identical stones weighing 5951 g and 4249 g, making it a remarkable find among lunar meteorites. This material represents a true fragment of the lunar crust, ejected from the surface of the Moon during an ancient impact event.

The surface of the meteorite is dark gray and partly covered with a light desert crust. Small cavities, known as vesicles, are also present. When cut, however, it reveals a completely different structure – larger rock fragments are bound together by a very fine-grained matrix, forming an interesting natural pattern.

From a mineralogical perspective, NWA 17865 consists of approximately 80% anorthitic plagioclase and about 20% olivine. Pyroxene is present only in minor amounts. The olivine is very fine-grained and enclosed within a feldspar-rich matrix dominated by plagioclase.

The rock was fractured and partially melted during a strong impact on the surface of the Moon. This process led to the formation of a troctolitic anorthosite melt breccia, a rock that bears clear evidence of extreme shock metamorphism and partial melting.