Description
Genuine NWA 8687 Lunar Meteorite Specimen
This carefully selected specimen is a genuine piece of Northwest Africa 8687, commonly abbreviated to NWA 8687. It is an officially recognised lunar meteorite, meaning that scientific analysis has established its origin as the Moon rather than an asteroid or terrestrial rock. The Meteoritical Bulletin records NWA 8687 as a lunar troctolite acquired in Morocco in 2014.
Every fragment represents material that was originally part of the lunar crust. It was excavated from the Moon by the immense force of an asteroid or meteoroid impact, projected into space and eventually captured by Earth’s gravity. After surviving its passage through the atmosphere, it landed in the arid environment of North West Africa, where it was later recovered.
The photograph shows an example of the specimen you will receive. As each meteorite fragment is naturally formed, the supplied piece may vary slightly in shape, colour, texture, thickness and distribution of mineral grains. Full sizing and scale information can be seen in the accompanying photograph.
Official NWA 8687 Meteorite Classification
NWA 8687 is the internationally recognised designation for this meteorite. “NWA” stands for Northwest Africa, a naming convention used for meteorites recovered from the broad North African desert region when a more precise fall location is unavailable.
Its official classification is:
Meteorite: Northwest Africa 8687
Abbreviation: NWA 8687
Meteorite type: Lunar meteorite
Official classification: Lunar troctolite
Origin: The Moon
Recovery region: Northwest Africa
Acquired: Morocco, 2014
Status: Officially approved meteorite name
Authenticity: Genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card
The Meteoritical Bulletin is maintained under the authority of the Meteoritical Society and is the principal international source for approved meteorite names and classifications.
Rare Lunar Troctolite Moon Rock
Troctolite is an igneous rock composed principally of plagioclase feldspar and olivine, with smaller or variable quantities of other minerals. Lunar troctolites are associated with the Moon’s ancient crust and belong to a suite of magnesium-rich rocks that provide important evidence about the formation and evolution of the lunar highlands.
Scientific study of NWA 8687 has also described investigated material as a pink spinel-bearing anorthositic norite within the lunar magnesium suite. This specialised mineralogical interpretation reflects the complex mixture of feldspar, olivine, pyroxene and spinel that may occur within different portions of a naturally heterogeneous lunar stone.
The original NWA 8687 stones were described as having pale green to tan exteriors, fine-grained pale green interiors and narrow shock-melt veins. No continuous fusion crust was reported, while the outer surfaces showed natural smoothing and sandblasting caused by prolonged exposure within the desert environment.
Individual fragments may display lighter feldspathic grains, darker mineral inclusions, subtle greenish or grey-brown tones, fine veins and irregular broken surfaces. The appearance of each piece depends upon which section of the original meteorite it represents.
Geological History on the Moon
The geological history of NWA 8687 began on the Moon, where its minerals crystallised from molten rock deep within or beneath the early lunar crust. The Moon experienced intense igneous activity during its ancient history, producing chemically and mineralogically distinct rock suites.
Plagioclase-rich rocks became an important component of the lunar highlands, while magnesium-rich minerals such as olivine and pyroxene crystallised within deeper or intrusive bodies. NWA 8687 preserves material connected with this ancient period of lunar crustal development.
Later impacts fractured, compressed and heated the rock. Shock waves generated by high-velocity collisions could produce microscopic deformation, brecciation and localised melt veins. A sufficiently powerful impact eventually accelerated a fragment beyond the Moon’s escape velocity, beginning its journey through space.
After travelling independently through the Solar System, the meteorite intersected Earth’s orbit and entered the atmosphere at extreme speed. Atmospheric friction removed part of its exterior before the surviving material reached the ground.
A Genuine Piece of the Moon
Lunar meteorites are scientifically identified through their mineralogy, chemistry, texture and isotopic characteristics. Their compositions can be compared with lunar rocks collected during crewed Apollo missions and robotic Luna missions, as well as with remote measurements of the Moon’s surface.
NWA 8687 has also been associated with the NWA 5744 pairing group, a collection of separately numbered stones considered to represent material from the same original meteoroid. Such pairings are recognised through close similarities in appearance, mineralogy, composition and geological history.
Unlike decorative stones merely given celestial trade names, this is genuine extraterrestrial material with an officially recorded lunar classification. It offers collectors the opportunity to own a physical fragment of another planetary body.
Lunar Meteorite for Collection and Display
NWA 8687 is an outstanding specimen for a meteorite collection, astronomy display, planetary-science cabinet or educational geological collection. Its lunar provenance, troctolitic classification and magnesium-suite mineralogy make it particularly appealing to collectors interested in the Moon’s ancient crust.
The specimen can be displayed alongside chondrites, iron meteorites, Martian meteorites, impactites, tektites or terrestrial geological specimens. It also makes a distinctive gift for a meteorite collector, astronomer, space enthusiast, geology student or anyone fascinated by lunar exploration and planetary history.
Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee
This meteorite is a genuine specimen and is supplied with a generic Certificate of Authenticity card carrying our lifetime guarantee of authenticity. It is not a synthetic imitation, simulated moon rock or ordinary terrestrial stone.
Each piece is individually selected for its natural character and collectable appearance. Irregular edges, small fractures, mineral variations, weathering, surface pits and differences in colour are expected features of authentic meteorite fragments.
Sizing: Full sizing can be seen in the photograph
Specimen supplied: The photograph shows an example of the meteorite specimen you will receive
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