Lunar Meteorite Tisserlitine 001 – Genuine Moon Rock Specimen from Gao, Mali

Authentic Lunar Meteorite Tisserlitine 001 – Genuine Moon Rock from Gao, Mali

This remarkable specimen of Lunar Meteorite Tisserlitine 001 is an authentic fragment of the Moon, discovered near Gao, Mali. Classified as a lunar feldspathic breccia, this meteorite represents material ejected from the lunar surface during a meteoritic impact on the Moon, later travelling through space before falling to Earth. Each piece is a direct sample of the lunar crust—ancient rock shaped by billions of years of impact events and geological evolution on our nearest celestial neighbour.

Every specimen is 100% genuine and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photograph shows an example of the actual type of specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube for size reference. Please see the photo for full sizing details. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a genuine piece of the Moon.

Scientific Classification and Composition

Tisserlitine 001 is officially classified as a Lunar Feldspathic Breccia, part of the anorthositic highlands suite of lunar meteorites. It is composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar (anorthite) and pyroxene minerals (pigeonite and augite), with traces of olivine, ilmenite, and spinel. These minerals reflect the composition of the Moon’s highland crust, which formed over 4.4 billion years ago during the solidification of the lunar magma ocean.

Under the microscope, Tisserlitine 001 displays a brecciated texture—a natural cementing of angular rock and mineral fragments created by repeated meteoritic impacts on the Moon’s surface. Melt veins and glassy matrices within the breccia reveal episodes of shock melting, cooling, and re-solidification in the harsh lunar environment. The light-coloured plagioclase-rich clasts contrast sharply with the darker glass and pyroxene-rich regions, characteristic of feldspathic lunar breccias.

Geochemically, Tisserlitine 001 is low in iron and titanium, indicating its origin from the ancient lunar highlands, rather than the basaltic mare regions. Oxygen isotope analysis confirms its lunar provenance, distinguishing it from terrestrial or other planetary meteorites.

Discovery and Provenance

Tisserlitine 001 was discovered near Gao, Mali, and officially classified in 2019. The meteorite was named after the Tisserlitine region of Mali, where several important meteorite finds have occurred. This fall belongs to a small and scientifically important collection of lunar meteorites found in North and West Africa, often recovered from the arid Sahara, where dry conditions help preserve extraterrestrial rocks for thousands of years.

These fragments are believed to have been ejected from the lunar surface by a significant impact event, possibly from the highlands bordering the South Pole–Aitken Basin—one of the largest and oldest known impact structures on the Moon. Over millions of years, gravitational interactions nudged the fragments into Earth-crossing orbits, until they finally descended into the sands of Mali.

Scientific and Collectable Significance

Lunar meteorites like Tisserlitine 001 are extraordinarily rare—fewer than 600 verified lunar meteorites have ever been discovered worldwide, and they represent the only pieces of the Moon legally available to private collectors. Unlike the samples returned by NASA’s Apollo missions, these specimens were delivered to Earth by nature itself, providing an unaltered geological record of the Moon’s surface.

Each fragment offers insight into the petrology, mineralogy, and impact history of the lunar crust. Scientists study them to understand the processes that shaped the Moon’s formation and evolution, including its early differentiation, volcanic history, and bombardment record. Tisserlitine 001, as a feldspathic breccia, helps illuminate the composition and dynamics of the lunar highlands, the most ancient terrain on the Moon.

For collectors, this meteorite embodies the rarest and most iconic form of cosmic material—a true moon rock, complete with verifiable scientific classification and provenance. Its distinctive light-grey to off-white coloration, fine-grained texture, and naturally fused surface make it both visually striking and scientifically significant.

Authenticity and Presentation

All of our meteorites are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying their classification and source. The image shows an example of the actual Lunar Tisserlitine 001 Meteorite you will receive, displayed beside a 1 cm scale cube for accurate size reference.

This specimen from Gao, Mali represents an authentic piece of lunar geology, a rare treasure formed on the Moon and delivered to Earth through cosmic collision. Holding this meteorite connects you directly to our celestial companion—an unparalleled addition to any scientific, educational, or private meteorite collection.