Complete Slice of NWA 2995

FROM THE MOON'S SOUTH POLE–AITKEN BASIN

NWA 2995 is a rare lunar meteorite consisting of a complex mix of breccias with some lunar mare basalt clasts. There are also metallic grains found within the slice, remnants of an iron-nickel impactor that struck the Moon, fragmented, and became lodged in the breccia. This meteorite is believed to have been ejected from the South Pole-Aitken Basin Region of the Moon, which is the proposed area for NASA's Artemis program, including Artemis 3 which plans to return NASA astronauts to the Moon.

Lunar material is some of the rarest material to exist on our planet — only 1,536 kilograms (3,386 lb) of confirmed lunar meteorites currently exist on Earth. And, while six of the Apollo missions brought back 382 kilograms (842 lb) of so-called "Moon rocks" from their combined voyages, these samples of the Moon are unavailable for private ownership. As a result, any piece of lunar material is exceedingly rare and highly sought after by both institutions and private collectors.

Until the first lunar meteorite was identified on Earth on January 17, 1982, the geologic history and surface composition of the Moon could only be studied from samples collected during the U.S. Apollo and Soviet Luna missions. Since these were exclusively harvested from the central near side of the Moon, the 1982 discovery proved to be a crucial scientific breakthrough. Thanks to the progressive retrieval on Earth of meteorite fragments originating from all areas of the Moon, invaluable and previously unattainable information about lunar geology has since become available.

REFERENCES:

Meteoritical Bulletin Entry for NWA 2995