L4-6, fragmental breccia
Sahara Desert, Algeria
Diameter: 1.9 in. (4.8 cm)
Weight: 0.4 lbs. (200 g)

Meteorites are named by a panel of scientists after the nearest city, county or geological feature near where they were found. When there are no such landmarks, such as in the middle of a massive desert, meteorites are then numbered. This is an example of NWA 869—the 869th meteorite to be classified following its recovery in the Northwest African grid of the Sahara. Hundreds of kilograms of NWA 869 have been recovered by desert nomads, which makes it the Sahara’s largest meteorite shower. Prior to being shaped into a sphere, the mass of this particular meteorite was three times what it is currently; a tremendous amount of material lost to the grinding and polishing processes. Only when the needs of research institutions are fully addressed does the luxury exist to fashion a sphere like the compelling example now offered. This specimen contains a tan to chocolate variegated patina and is dappled in metalflake. The sphere measures 1.9 inches in diameter and weighs 0.4 pounds.