SKU: 51016442870

NWA XXX Ordinary Chondrite Meteorite Individual, Unclassified, 316.40g, Complete Fusion Crust, Oriented

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Description

NWA XXX Ordinary Chondrite Meteorite Individual, Unclassified, 316.40g, Complete Fusion Crust, OrientedOriented atmospheric entry preserved in fusion crust This 316. 40g ordinary chondrite individual displays oriented flight characteristics visible across its complete fusion crust surface. The thermal pattern shows a defined leading edge where atmospheric compression heated the meteoroid to incandescence, creating the glossy black coating that covers the entire specimen. The crust's variation in thickness and texture maps the pressure gradient

Oriented atmospheric entry preserved in fusion crust

This 316.40g ordinary chondrite individual displays oriented flight characteristics visible across its complete fusion crust surface. The thermal pattern shows a defined leading edge where atmospheric compression heated the meteoroid to incandescence, creating the glossy black coating that covers the entire specimen. The crust's variation in thickness and texture maps the pressure gradient experienced during deceleration through Earth's atmosphere. Fresh condition indicates minimal terrestrial weathering since the 2024 recovery in Western Sahara.

The specimen's mass and structural integrity make it suitable for both display and scientific examination. Ordinary chondrites constitute approximately 87% of observed meteorite falls, yet complete fusion crust coverage remains uncommon in recovered specimens. Most finds show partial crust loss from ground impact or post-fall weathering.

Fusion crust formation and preservation

The fusion crust formed during the final seconds of atmospheric flight as surface temperatures exceeded 1,500°C. This thermal shell developed through ablation, the continuous removal of heated material as the meteoroid descended. The oriented shape indicates stable flight geometry, with one surface consistently facing the direction of travel. Flow lines and differential thickness across the crust document the aerodynamic forces that shaped this specimen during entry.

Fresh fusion crust appears glossy black due to magnetite-rich glass formed from flash-melted chondritic material. This specimen's crust shows no significant caliche coating or desert varnish, suggesting either recent fall or rapid recovery after landing. The arid Western Sahara environment provides excellent preservation conditions for meteorite finds.

Scientific context

Ordinary chondrites formed in the early solar system approximately 4.56 billion years ago from dust and small particles in the protoplanetary disk. These meteorites preserve primitive materials that accreted before planetary differentiation began. The chondrules, millimeter-scale spherical structures within the matrix, solidified from molten droplets in the solar nebula. Unclassified specimens await detailed analysis to determine their specific group (H, L, or LL) and petrologic type, which indicate parent body composition and thermal history.

Most ordinary chondrites originate from S-type asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Impact events fragment these parent bodies, ejecting material that eventually intersects Earth's orbit. The complete fusion crust on this specimen provides evidence of its atmospheric passage and validates its extraterrestrial origin. Learn About Meteorites to understand the formation and classification of different meteorite types.

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? This specimen is documented as an ordinary chondrite find from Western Sahara in 2024. While not yet fully classified to group and type, its fusion crust and internal characteristics confirm meteoritic origin. The specimen includes a certificate of authenticity. For classification details, search the Meteoritical Bulletin at: www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php.

What does "oriented" mean for this meteorite? Orientation indicates the specimen maintained a stable attitude during atmospheric flight, with one surface consistently facing forward. This stable flight created the asymmetric fusion crust pattern visible on the specimen, with thicker crust on the leading edge where heating was most intense.

What is included with this specimen? You receive the 316.40g oriented individual with complete fusion crust and a certificate of authenticity. No display stand is included.

Why is complete fusion crust coverage significant? Most meteorite finds show partial crust loss from impact damage or weathering. Complete coverage indicates the specimen survived atmospheric entry, landing, and recovery without fragmentation or surface degradation. This preservation makes the specimen valuable for studying entry heating patterns.

What will classification determine? Future analysis will assign this specimen to H, L, or LL group based on iron content and assign a petrologic type (3-6) based on thermal metamorphism degree. Classification provides specific information about parent body composition and processing history.

Display and collection value

The 316.40g mass provides substantial presence for display while remaining manageable for handling and study. Complete fusion crust coverage appeals to collectors seeking specimens that show clear evidence of atmospheric passage. Oriented meteorites demonstrate flight dynamics principles and represent a subset of finds with documented stable entry trajectories.

Fresh fusion crust contrasts visually with weathered or fusion crust-free specimens, making this individual immediately identifiable as a meteorite to observers. The 2024 find date means this specimen entered collections during the current era of meteorite documentation and trading. Collectors building comprehensive ordinary chondrite collections value specimens showing varied preservation states and morphologies. Browse our full selection in the Chondrites collection or explore Budget Friendly Pieces for accessible specimens across multiple types.

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SKU: 51016442870

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Khendri
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Cooling King-Size Pillows (used on a Queen pillows to tuck the extra in)
Color: Navy Blue, Size: 2 Pack King(20"X 36"), Color: Navy Blue, Size: 2 Pack King(20"X 36")
🛏️ Product Review: Cooling King-Size Pillows (used on a Queen bed) ⭐ The Good • These are king-size pillows, which I actually love on a queen bed because I can tuck the ends into the fabric. • The fabric feels slick and cool, but you don’t slip off of it. • They feel cold to the touch right out of the package (which is wild). • I sleep extremely hot and even run fevers at night due to a medical condition (literally 101–102° sometimes), and these pillows still stay cool where I lay my head. • I’ve honestly never slept this well in my life. • For the price, you cannot beat them, and they go on sale often. • These beat any high-end version I’ve tried. • If you sleep normal-temp and not lava-hot like me, you’re going to be VERY comfortable with these. ⚠️ The Bad • The fabric does show crease lines. • If wrinkles bother you, this might annoy you (doesn’t bother me personally). 🔧 What I’d Change / Tips for Care • Don’t use fabric softener — it clogs the cooling fabric and ruins how it works. • Wash with unscented detergent + a little vinegar. • Dry on low heat only (do NOT dry on high if you want the fabric to keep working long-term). ✅ Final Thoughts I will literally never not own these again. If you sleep hot, night-sweat, or just want a pillow that actually stays cool — these are it. 10/10 recommend.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2026
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A.N. Libby
Houston, US
★★★★★ 3
Love it but it stains
Color: Haze Blue, Size: 2 Pack Standard(20"X 26")
I love these but had to knock some stars down for a single reason. They are soft, the material is somehow both substantial and airy at the same time, and a smooth, silky (not satin), cozy texture. The color was exactly as pictured. The envelope style works great to keep my pillows covered. The fabric lays perfectly. I love sleeping on this pillow case. Took two stars off because every single atom of oil on my face stained it immediately and won't come out in the wash. Its not subtle. You can see anywhere my face has been, forever. I don't have some incredibly oily face or hair, I've never had this happen to another pillow case in my life.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
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Michael
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Good buy
Color: Navy Blue, Size: Body(20"X 54")
Nice and soft , well packaged and looks good. Kinda pillowcase you find in a luxury hotel
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026
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CJHenry
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Silky and Soothing
Color: Cream, Size: 2 Pack Queen(20"X 30")
I thought I was getting 1 of the queen sized but I got 2. I got these for my Pomeranian's fuzzy pillow. He's always hot and these are very cooling and very good quality. He loves them and are very comfortable for him. They totally transformed his shaggy old pillow. I used the larger body pillow covers to replace the covers I had. They matched my bedspread perfectly. I use 2 body pillows along the exterior wall in my bedroom where there is cold coming through the floor in the winter. I'm sure I will enjoy them in the summer when it's hot too!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2026
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Precise Disarray
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
super smooth, silky, stays comfortable feeling. DO NOT DRY or wash with heat
Color: Blue, Size: Queen (U.S. Standard), Set name: Stretchy and Soft, Color: Blue, Size: Queen (U.S. Standard), Set name: Stretchy and Soft
I'm impressed. I have used cooling pillow cases before, and found them effective, but the cooling material have always been on just one side. These are 100% cooling material. The material is super smooth and silky feeling. It is great feeling against hair and skin (even better than my old polyester satin I was using before cooling pillowcases). The material is cool, and does not seem to get hot hot. The pillow cases are super stretchy with a small hidden zipper. They grab onto the pillow and dont loosen up. Makes my pillow look neat and clean, not sloppy from loose material. I can even have two pillows stacked and somehow despite being a smooth material, the pillows dont just slide off each other. The cooling aspect works by not trapping heat, not allowing heat to get to the pillow and hold it there. So yeh, the pillow case will feel warm eventually but if you have a fan, or AC, or flip the pillow, then it is is truly cool. Otherwise in my experience when I use a pillow without this, the pillow just gets hot, stays hot, and even with flipping it feels hot.. because the pillow itself has trapped the heat for remainder of night. Yuck. One thing to know and this is very important-- as I learned the hard way-- DO NOT DRY IN DRYER. DO NOT WASH IN HOT WATER. Heat will destroy the material ability to feel and stay cool. Do you want a regular heat trapping pillow case? Then go ahead and dry these in the dryer a few times and you will have a regular pillow case. HOw do I know? I bought these to replace another set (different brand, same idea, same instructions that I failed to remember). I always dried them in the dryer, and one night after having gloriously cool pillows, I noticed that my pillow was HOT night after night. It was then when looking for another set of pillow cases that I learned that they cant be exposed to heat like that. SO PLEASE, just AIR DRY. And so, after I got these and put them on my pillows, I had a much better nights rest. I remember thinking that I wasnt waking to rearrange my pillows. They were just comfortable all night long. Sure, I'd love an even colder pillow, but our room is on the warm side. But at least I wasnt noting the hot hot pillows anymore.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021

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