Murchison - CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite - Fragment - 1.26g - South Australia

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SKU MUR-09/12

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Murchison is one of the most scientifically significant Carbonaceous Chondrite meteorites ever recovered, classified as a CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite. It fell on 28 September 1969 near the town of Murchison in Victoria, Australia, following a widely witnessed fireball and a series of audible detonations. Approximately 100 kilograms of material were recovered, much of it collected shortly after the fall, helping preserve its delicate composition. Formed from primitive asteroid material over 4.5 billion years ago, Murchison has become one of the most extensively studied meteorites in the world, particularly for its remarkable abundance of organic compounds.

Murchison specimens typically display a dark grey to black interior with a fine-grained, carbon-rich matrix containing small chondrules and mineral inclusions. As a CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite, it has undergone extensive aqueous alteration on its parent body, resulting in the formation of water-bearing minerals. Its most remarkable characteristic is its complex organic chemistry, including a diverse range of amino acids and other carbon-based molecules. These compounds are of particular scientific interest because they provide evidence that some of the chemical building blocks associated with life were present in the early solar system, long before life emerged on Earth.

For collectors, Murchison holds exceptional appeal due to its documented witnessed fall, Australian provenance, and extraordinary scientific importance. Its contribution to research into prebiotic chemistry and the origins of organic molecules has established it as one of the most iconic Carbonaceous Chondrites. Each specimen represents genuine primitive solar system material with a direct connection to some of the most fundamental questions surrounding planetary formation and the origins of life.

Important information for all items

How the scales and gridlines work.

Each small square is 1x1mm, and each bold-lined square is 10x10mm, or 1cm² (1 square centimetre).



Imperial measurements.

1 inch is is easy to figure because it is about 25 small squares, which is 2½ bold squares.

The piece shown in the photo on the left (a Gebel Kamil Iron) is about 70mm from left to right, which is about 2¾ inches, and around 60mm (about 2⅓ inches) from top to bottom.

Additional Information

 

Please note that any scale cubes, measuring grids, stands, or photographic props shown in listing images are used for display and size reference purposes only and are not included unless specifically stated.

Items are supplied in the packaging shown in the photographs where applicable. Where packaging is not shown, specimens will be carefully packaged to ensure safe transit.

 

Authenticity & Provenance

Every meteorite, tektite, and impactite sold by OuterSpacer Meteorites is supplied with a signed and uniquely numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

OuterSpacer Meteorites is a member of both the International Meteorite Collectors Association (IMCA #5751) and the Global Meteorite Association (GMA #G0010), and stands behind the authenticity of every specimen offered for sale.

For more information, please see our Certificates of Authenticity page.

 

Shipping & Returns

Orders are securely packaged and shipped with tracking. Combined shipping is available for multiple purchases.

For full details regarding shipping methods, processing times, returns, cancellations, and refunds, please refer to our Shipping, Returns & Cancellations, and Refund Policy pages.

 

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