Aletai – Iron Meteorite (IIIE-an)
Exceptional large stabilized slice revealing Widmanstätten structures, mounted for display. Monumental specimen of one of the largest known iron meteorite strewn fields.
Aletai – Iron Meteorite (IIIE-an)
This exceptional large slice of the Aletai iron meteorite, weighing 7,940 g, measures approximately 80 × 42 cm with a thickness of 5 mm. Mounted for display, it offers a striking and comprehensive view of the internal structure of this historically and scientifically important iron meteorite.
Etched to reveal well-developed Widmanstätten structures, the slice displays the characteristic crystalline patterns formed by extremely slow cooling within the metallic core of a differentiated planetary body. Prior to preparation, the specimen underwent a stabilization process exceeding six months, specifically undertaken to limit oxidation and ensure long-term preservation of the metal.
Aletai meteorites originate from a vast strewn field located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, extending over approximately 425 km along a northwest–southeast axis. Chemical and petrographic analyses have demonstrated that numerous previously named iron meteorites—including Armanty, Xinjiang (b), Xinjiang 008, and Ulasitai—are paired and now unified under the official name Aletai, classified as an anomalous IIIE iron meteorite (IIIE-an).
The Aletai irons represent one of the most extensive iron meteorite distributions known on Earth and provide critical insights into core crystallization processes and planetary differentiation. By its exceptional dimensions, visual impact, and state of preservation, this slice constitutes a major display specimen, suitable for museum exhibition, institutional collections, or advanced private holdings.
