Class: LL3
Found: Sahara Desert in 2003
The L in L chondrites stands for "low iron". LL means "low iron" and "low metal". These terms mean low free iron - iron that has not been combined with other elements. LL chondrites are low in both iron and nickel. They are the rarest of the ordinary chondrites. Only 1-3% of their weight is free metal, so these are very weakly attracted to a magnet.
Class: LL3
Found: Sahara Desert in 2003
This type of meteorite is also classified as an Amphoterite. Low iron, low nickel - with very nicely shaped and unaltered chondrules.
Class: LL6
Found: Northwest Africa in 2005
The petrology class 6 indicates that the material has been heated almost to the point of melting, and the chondrules have reformed into less distinct shapes as a result.
Class: LL3.7
Found: Morocco in 2004
This is in the LL class of chondrites, with chondrules that have undergone some melting.
This LL specimen has beautifully shaped chondrules, as the petrologic class 3 means literally unaltered structure.
E chondrites (enstatite) formed in an oxygen-poor part of the solar system. Some experts think that the parent asteroid is near the orbit of Venus or Mars - but chemical analysis seems to point to the main belt asteroid 16 Psyche as the source.
Class: EL3
Found: Morocco in 2006
EL's have very little iron, but what iron they do have is in its free state (not combined with other elements).
Note: All meteorite photographs include a 1 cm scaling cube for sizing reference. Click on the image to expand.
Class: EL6/7
Found: Algeria in 2004
This is a beautiful enstatite specimen with a petrological grade of 6 or 7. It has no evidence of chondrules whatsoever.
In order to make apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.
- Carl Sagan
