{"product_id":"hammadah-al-hamra-346-fusion-crusted-chondrite-with-contraction-cracks-101-68-grams","title":"Hammadah al Hamra 346, Fusion Crusted Chondrite with Contraction Cracks - 101.68 grams","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis 101.68g HaH 346 meteorite has several unique meteoritic features at an accessible size. The majority of the stone is covered in fusion crust, formed as it burned while descending through our atmosphere. An exposed face shows the contrast and thickness of the fusion crust while revealing the stone's interior matrix. One face of the fusion crust reveals remarkable contraction cracks, formed by the rapid heating and cooling of the stone while the fusion crust was not fully set. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHammadah al Hamra 346 (often referred to as Ghadamis or HaH) is a classic ordinary chondrite recovered from the vast deserts of Libya, where the arid environment helped preserve meteorites for thousands of years. Classified as an L6 chondrite, it represents material from an ancient asteroid that experienced significant thermal metamorphism, altering its original components while still preserving a record of the early solar system. Formed more than 4.5 billion years ago, Hammadah al Hamra 346 contains iron-nickel metal and silicate minerals that predate the Earth itself. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMeteoritical Bulletin Entry for Hammadah al Hamra 346: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=73745\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=73745\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ORitzMz69_s\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e--\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meteorite is not just a collectible; it’s an educational tool and conversation starter that brings the mystery and science of space directly into your hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue scale cube displayed in some of the photos is 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm and is used only to represent scale. It is not included in your purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour purchase includes the exact stone pictured, a Certificate of Authenticity, a custom display stand, and a lunar surprise 🌙\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 href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/meteocracy\" rel=\"noopener\" 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 \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eUnique Features of This Meteorite\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003e--Ordinary Chondrite--\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrdinary chondrites make up about 85% of all known falls. They are stony meteorites composed primarily of silicate minerals like olivine and pyroxene, with small amounts of nickel-iron metal and chondrules—tiny, spherical grains that formed in the early solar system. Their composition provides valuable insights into the building blocks of planets and the history of our solar system.\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e--Fusion Crust--\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA thin, dark, glassy layer on the exterior of a meteorite formed during its fiery passage through Earth's atmosphere. This feature is often described as a \"burned\" appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e--Contraction Cracks--\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSmall fractures that form due to thermal stress as the meteorite rapidly cools during atmospheric entry or solidifies in space. These cracks often appear as a network of fine lines on fusion crusts, where the outer layer contracts as it cools from the intense heat of atmospheric friction. They provide clues about a meteorite’s thermal history and can enhance its visual appeal, especially in well-preserved specimens.\u003c!-- notionvc: 54eeb0f5-5e9f-4455-b266-4a7f18f8124b --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- notionvc: 99dc46ed-b9d2-4399-a42d-d5d98492db02 --\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- notionvc: f07ce530-aed1-4c52-acab-18f7a21d2423 --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Midnight Meteorites","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48628778598500,"sku":"CSM-097","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/5700\/0292\/files\/CSM97-5.jpg?v=1782311167","url":"https:\/\/midnightmeteorites.com\/products\/hammadah-al-hamra-346-fusion-crusted-chondrite-with-contraction-cracks-101-68-grams","provider":"Midnight Meteorites","version":"1.0","type":"link"}