EL MILHAS 002, AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE LUNAR METEORITE
FELL TIRIS ZEMMOUR, MAURITANIA, 26°20’37.05’’ N, 07°10’04.55’’ W
Estimate: £40,000 - £60,000
Auction: 13 March 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
lunar feldspathic breccia, wavy sand blasted patination, feldspar-rich fragments fused together through impact processes on the Moon's surface, without fusion crust, main minerals are olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, and calcic plagioclase
Dimensions
2.317kg, 38.2cm diameter at widest point
Provenance
Found in 2022 at Tiris Zemmour, Mauritania, 26°20’37.05’’ N, 07°10’04.55’’ W
Footnote
Lunar material is among the rarest substances on Earth, with only 780 kilograms known to exist and fewer than 700 individual specimens ever recovered. Each is the result of an impact upon the lunar surface, blasting material into the vacuum of space and onto a collision course with earth. This extraordinary and substantial meteorite, the result of such a collision, eventually fell in the deserts of northern Mauritania in 2022, offering a tangible connection to our celestial neighbour.
Classified as a feldspathic breccia, the specimen consists of fragmented lunar material that was fused together by the impact event on the Moon. Its structure features strikingly large inclusions of lighter-coloured minerals interwoven within a dark, blackish-grey matrix, creating a visually dramatic contrast that underscores its extraterrestrial origin.
Weighing over 2 kilograms, this meteorite is one of the largest known examples of lunar material ever made available on the market. Its exceptional size and composition not only provide valuable insight into the Moon’s geological history but also make it a significant acquisition for collectors and scientific institutions alike. The specimen has undergone rigorous analysis and authentication by the Lunar and Planetary Institute, which has officially designated it as El Milhas 002.