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Store>Meteorites For Sale>Mars Rocks - Martian Meteorites For Sale>Los Angeles (LA 002) Mars Rock

Los Angeles (LA 002) Martian basalt (Shergottite) Meteorites For Sale

Mars Rock LA 002 - Martian Meteorites

For a chunk of rock to get launched form the surface of another planet and find its way through the solar system to the gravitational field of Earth is a rare event. But, for that rock to actually be found and identified is perhaps even more remarkable. But, surprisingly it has happened repeatedly in the last several years. Two of these Martian meteorites were found in the deserts of Los Angeles County. Known now as the Los Angeles meteorites they have LA 001 and LA 002 as designations.

LA 002 was identified as a meteorite in 1999 years after it was found in the desert. After much more extensive laboratory work it was classified as a Martian meteorite. It is a basaltic shergottite. It is one amongst a few of that type which are known.

LA 002 weighed in at 245.4 grams when recovered. Like all Martian meteorites, it was found to be made up of very shocked minerals. The forces exerted on rocks to blast them from the surface of a planet melt and alter the minerals; changing them into others that can only form in tremendous pressure. LA 001 and LA 002 are paired stones which means that they are parts of the same larger stone which broke up during its passage through the atmosphere of Earth.

Martian meteorites remain today some of the rarest and most sought after specimens for meteorite collectors.

Please click on the specimen images to see size reference.