MUONIONALUSTA METEORITE CRYSTAL BALL — CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE OF AN IRON METEORITE DRAMATIZED IN THREE DIMENSIONS
Iron, fine octahedrite
Kiruna, Sweden

Muonionalusta is located in northern Sweden above the Arctic Circle. While meteorite hunters have unearthed numerous masses in recent years, it was in 1906 that children discovered the first Muonionalusta meteorite while engaging in favorite childhood pastime. While kicking rocks a child struck a heavy object which was later verified to be an iron meteorite. Muonionalusta meteorites are perfect for subdivision as they are weathered, indistinct and shapeless. But when you cut through a Muonionalusta meteorite, the interior matrix is inarguably breathtaking. Covering the entire surface of this perfect sphere is the striking three-dimensional display of Muonionalusta’s radiant octahedral crystalline structure, a pattern which is diagnostic in the identification of iron meteorites. The two nickel-iron alloys seen here—kamacite and taenite—require a cooling curve of millions of years to crystallize—and this can only occur in the vacuum of outer space. This is a choice three-dimensional display of Muonionalusta’s crystalline fingerprint rendered in what is literally an extraterrestrial crystal ball. 112 x 112 x 112mm (4.5 inches cubed) and 4.6 kilograms (10.3 pounds).

Estimate: $5,500 - 7,500