Why this rock is probably not a meteorite:
The finder thought that this might be a chondritic meteorite because
of the round chondrule-like objects (~1-2 mm in diameter).
Chondrules do not stand out like this on the broken surface of a chondrite,
and it seems unlikely to us that they would stand out even on a highly
weathered chondrite. The grayish matrix looks like it could be
limestone.
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What is it?
We suspect that the round things are oölitiths - calcium carbonate
growths on sand grains or organic matter, which are common in some
limestones (oölitic). The oölitiths may now be silicified, which
would make them harder.
See also meteorwrong no. 77.
Addendum: Dr. Nicholas Gessler of UCLA saw this photo and told me
that sometimes chondrules do stand out from the matrix
and sent this remarkable photo
of a chondrule in a CV chondrite that he has in his collection (photo
by Adam and Greg Hupé).
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