A RARE ATAXITE METEORITE POL🌜ISHED TO A MIRROR FINISH

The Chinga meteorite is a very rare type of iron meteorite known as an ataxite. Ataxites contain a high amount of nickel compared to other iron meteorites. As a result, when etched and polished, they don't reveal any Widmanstätten pattern when l🍨ooked at with the naked eye, as the low-nickel iron alloy kamacite has been crowded out by the higher-nickel iron all𒁏oy taenite. Chinga contains between 16% and 17% nickel, at which point a visible Widmanstätten pattern is unable to form. Because of this rare fact, the display side of this Chinga meteorite slice has been able to be etched and polished to an almost mirror-like finish.

Given that most iron meteorites show a Widmanstätten pattern when etched, ataxi꧑tes are not easily identified as meteorites and can often be mistaken for iron slag. Nickel tests (alongside microscopic examination) are essential for identifying ataxites as meteorites. Because ataxites are much more uncommon than other iron meteorಞites, they are highly sought after by collectors, especially in the condition of a slice like the one offered here.

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