
SEEING INTO ROCKS FROM SPACE
© Neil H Buckland - Please don't steal my art - © Neil H Buckland - Please don't steal my art - © Neil H Buckland - Please don't steal my art - © Neil H Buckland - Please don't steal my art
Erg Chech 002 XPL
144" x 80"
ERG CHECH 002
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in cross-polarized light (XPL)
A scientifically-important and visually aesthetic meteorite unlike any other was found in far southern Algeria in July 2020. This ungrouped gabbroic achondrite is unusual for many reasons, including the elevated content of sodium in its constituent plagioclase feldspar. This image highlights the presence of large grains of various sorts of pyroxene (exhibiting blue, blue-green and gray to pale yellow colors). These megacrysts have an irregular to rounded form and marginal reaction rims against the dominant gabbroic groundmass, which consists predominantly of pigeonite pyroxene (colors) and sodic plagioclase (gray lath-like grains) with minor opaque oxide grains (black).
ERG CHECH 002
in parallel-polarized light (PPL)
This image is made from the same meteorite specimen as the darker version above. A change in alignment of polarizing filters alters the birefringent spectrum of light passing through the slide, resulting in a dramatically different color palette.
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EXPLORE THE COLLECTIONS
Click through the gallery below to explore art pieces made from different meteorites.





