Erg Chech 003
Approved by the Meteoritical Society on October 17, 2021
Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite, type CR2
Discovery: 2021 by Ali Mustapha in Zghmir, Adrar (Algeria)
Acquired: 2021 by Shun-Chung Yang.
Total mass (TKW): 1100 g
Coordinates: 26°01'55.0"N 1°36'40.0"W
Weight: 1,9 g / 0,00419 lb
Measurements: 16 x 13 x 10 mm / 0,63″ x 0,512″ x 0,394″
History: The Erg Chech 003 meteorite is a true space relic discovered in 2021 in Algeria, near the remote village of In Zghmir. Its name comes from the desert where it was found, a vast expanse known as Erg Chech. This meteorite belongs to an extremely rare family, the CR2 carbonaceous chondrites. To date, just over 180 examples of this type are known worldwide, and more than half have been recovered in Antarctica, making them unattainable pieces for collectors.
At first glance, this rock is already fascinating; its surface displays perfectly visible chondrules in relief. These small spheres formed when dust particles and minerals floating freely in the solar nebula rapidly solidified and retain the exact shape they had when they formed, more than 4.7 billion years ago, long before the birth of the planets. They are embedded in a dark, dense matrix, modified by the action of water inside the asteroid from which it originated. This process, known as aqueous alteration, left an indelible mark on its interior, and this is precisely where its importance lies. Carbonaceous chondrites like this one are not only the oldest rocks known, but also the most revealing. They contain complex organic compounds, hydrated minerals, and even traces of amino acids, the molecules essential for life. This is why many scientists believe that meteorites like Erg Chech 003 could have been the cosmic messengers that brought water and the basic ingredients of life to early Earth. Each fragment of this meteorite, whose total mass barely exceeds 1,100 grams, contains a chapter in the origin of everything we know. A silent witness to the birth of the solar system, a key piece in understanding how life began and where we come from. Its rarity, visual beauty, and scientific value make it one of the most fascinating chondrites discovered in recent years.

Includes information card and presentation box.
Link to The Meteoritical Society: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=74840

This piece will travel insured in a safety package to arrive in perfect condition.