{"product_id":"aletai-iron-meteorite-full-slice-with-stunning-widmanstatten-pattern-85-34g","title":"Aletai Iron Meteorite, Full Slice with Stunning Widmanstätten Pattern - 85.34g","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Aletai meteorite is a massive iron meteorite discovered in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China. Its story began in 1898 with the discovery of a 28-ton mass, but additional fragments recovered over the following century revealed something extraordinary. The meteorite’s pieces were scattered across approximately 430 kilometers (267 miles), forming the longest known meteorite strewn field on Earth. Scientists believe the asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere at an unusually shallow angle, breaking apart and scattering enormous fragments across the landscape. Classified as an anomalous IIIE iron meteorite, Aletai originated from the metallic interior of an ancient asteroid more than 4.5 billion years ago. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis 85.34 gram iron-nickel meteorite is a beautiful representation of what was once the core of a former planet or differentiated asteroid. This full slice has been etched to reveal the Widmanstätten pattern unique to certain iron meteorites. This \u003cspan data-token-index=\"0\" class=\"notion-enable-hover\"\u003edistinctive, interwoven crystalline structure was formed by the slow cooling of metal alloys over millions of years in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!-- notionvc: 0260ddc3-fcd8-4956-8bb2-dd7927379905 --\u003e. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-token-index=\"0\" class=\"notion-enable-hover\"\u003eIts unique geometric design not only makes iron meteorites visually striking but also provides valuable insight into the cooling history of planetary cores.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!-- notionvc: d3e904d8-4bb4-422f-8118-84b1e74a0f3d --\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAletai specimens are especially prized by collectors for their distinctive metallic composition, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ebeautiful Widmanstätten patterns, and extraordinary discovery history, with massive fragments recovered across the longest known meteorite strewn field on Earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOfficial Meteoritical Bulletin Entry for Aletai: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=64400\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=64400\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis meteorite is not just a collectible; it’s an educational tool that brings the mystery and science of space directly into your hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour purchase includes the exact meteorite pictured, a Certificate of Authenticity, a laser-etched placard, and a stand for display.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ci\u003eMy name is Dr. Chris Sanders, and I am a member of the International Meteorite Collectors Association (Member ID 8303). Purchasing from an IMSA member guarantees you're working with trusted members of the meteorite community. You can watch my free meteorite education videos on YouTube or other social media platforms here: \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/meteocracy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/linktr.ee\/meteocracy\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"p3\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eUnique Features of This Meteorite\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e--Iron Meteorite--\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIron meteorites likely originate from the cores of differentiated planetesimals or protoplanets that formed early in the solar system’s history. These hefty space rocks are mostly made of iron and nickel. They're like cosmic cannonballs! When cut and polished, many show off a beautiful criss-cross pattern called the Widmanstätten pattern. Iron meteorites are prized by collectors for their striking appearance and durability.\u003c!-- notionvc: 6f3be967-88f5-4442-b76a-31108dc3c5b8 --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e--Widmanstätten Pattern--\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA distinctive, interwoven crystalline structure found in iron meteorites, formed by the slow cooling of metal alloys over millions of years in space. This pattern, composed of nickel-iron crystals called kamacite and taenite, becomes visible when the meteorite is cut, polished, and etched with acid. Its unique geometric design not only makes iron meteorites visually striking but also provides valuable insight into the cooling history of planetary cores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- notionvc: 6685bb2e-fe0c-45d4-bd89-9af3d61b5b44 --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Midnight Meteorites","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68015245066340,"sku":"CSM-395","price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/5700\/0292\/files\/CSM3952.jpg?v=1793974686","url":"https:\/\/midnightmeteorites.com\/products\/aletai-iron-meteorite-full-slice-with-stunning-widmanstatten-pattern-85-34g","provider":"Midnight Meteorites","version":"1.0","type":"link"}