SKU: 97871260657

NWA 17708 Howardite Meteorite Slice, 34.51g, Rippled Fusion Crust, HED Achondrite from Vesta

Sale price$153.00 Regular price$170.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $42.50 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Oct 2 - Oct 7

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

NWA 17708 Howardite Meteorite Slice, 34.51g, Rippled Fusion Crust, HED Achondrite from VestaFresh fusion crust with rippling flow texture This 34. 51g slice of NWA 17708 preserves approximately 50% fresh fusion crust along its edge, displaying the characteristic rippling flow texture formed as molten surface material solidified during atmospheric entry. The sanded face reveals the heterogeneous interior structure typical of howardites, with visible clasts of contrasting lithologies set within a fine grained impact generated matrix. The

Fresh fusion crust with rippling flow texture

This 34.51g slice of NWA 17708 preserves approximately 50% fresh fusion crust along its edge, displaying the characteristic rippling flow texture formed as molten surface material solidified during atmospheric entry. The sanded face reveals the heterogeneous interior structure typical of howardites, with visible clasts of contrasting lithologies set within a fine-grained impact-generated matrix. The fusion crust coverage and texture make this specimen particularly suitable for display and study of atmospheric heating effects on asteroidal material.

The slice format provides direct visual access to both the external fusion crust and internal brecciated structure in a single specimen. The contrast between the dark, glassy fusion crust and the lighter interior lithologies demonstrates the thermal gradient experienced during atmospheric passage. This specimen shows the regolith breccia nature of howardites, recording multiple impact events on the surface of asteroid 4 Vesta.

Brecciated structure and impact mixing

The sanded surface reveals the polymict nature of this howardite, showing clasts of varying composition embedded within the matrix. These clasts represent fragments of both eucrites and diogenites, the two other members of the HED clan, physically mixed by impact gardening processes on Vesta's surface. The fine-grained matrix filling the spaces between clasts formed from comminuted rock and impact melt during the collisions that created this material.

Howardites exhibit very weak to no magnetic attraction, consistent with their composition dominated by pyroxene and plagioclase minerals rather than metallic iron-nickel. This lack of magnetism distinguishes them from chondrites and iron meteorites, reflecting the differentiated nature of their parent body. The specimen shows the textural complexity that results from billions of years of impact processing in the asteroid belt.

Scientific context: Vesta's regolith breccias

Howardites represent the regolith layer of asteroid 4 Vesta, formed by repeated meteoroid impacts that mixed and brecciated material from deeper crustal layers. NASA's Dawn spacecraft mission confirmed the HED-Vesta connection through spectroscopic analysis and direct imaging of Vesta's surface between 2011 and 2012, verifying what meteorite researchers had proposed for decades based on compositional studies. Howardites specifically sample the impact-processed surface layer where eucritic basalts and diogenitic orthopyroxenites were physically combined.

The formation of howardites requires energetic impact events sufficient to excavate material from different crustal depths and mix them together. This process creates the heterogeneous texture visible in NWA 17708, recording the collisional history of the asteroid belt's second-largest body. Howardites provide direct samples of a planetary surface shaped by 4.5 billion years of bombardment. Learn About Meteorites

Frequently asked questions

Is this meteorite authenticated? NWA 17708 is classified as a howardite in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17708. Every specimen includes a certificate of authenticity from Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.

What does howardite mean? Howardites are polymict breccias composed of mixed fragments of eucrites and diogenites, the other two members of the HED achondrite group. They formed in the regolith layer of asteroid 4 Vesta through impact mixing processes.

What is included with this specimen? This listing includes the 34.51g NWA 17708 slice, certificate of authenticity, specimen card with classification details, and gembox display case.

Why does this meteorite have fusion crust on only part of its surface? This specimen is a cut slice taken from a larger individual. The fusion crust visible on approximately 50% of the edge represents the original exterior surface of the meteorite, while the sanded face exposes the interior structure for study and display.

What makes NWA 17708 significant? Classified in 2024, NWA 17708 is among the most recently recognized howardites available to collectors. It provides fresh material from Vesta's surface with excellent preservation of both fusion crust and interior brecciated texture.

Display-ready specimen from Vesta

The combination of fresh fusion crust and prepared interior surface makes this slice well-suited for display and educational purposes. At 34.51g, the specimen provides substantial visual impact while remaining practical for handling and storage. The visible brecciation demonstrates the impact processes that shaped the surface of a differentiated asteroid, offering direct evidence of regolith formation in the asteroid belt.

Howardites remain relatively scarce in meteorite collections compared to chondrites, representing less than 5% of all recovered meteorite falls and finds. The material from asteroid 4 Vesta provides samples of a planetary body that survived intact from the early solar system, avoiding the complete disruption that scattered the material from many other differentiated asteroids. This specimen joins a collection representing confirmed samples from one of the largest intact protoplanets. Howardites

Classification reference

Meteoritical Bulletin entry: NWA 17708 | Classification: Howardite | Find, Mali, 2024

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 97871260657

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 27 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
N
Verified Purchase
NLB
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Interesting
Format: Kindle
So I will say I enjoyed the story, for sure had its moments where it dragged but it was a great story. I really liked that omegas picked their alphas/make the pack. Normally the Alphas make it and the omega fits in with them which is great but I enjoyed this new version where all the power basically went to the omega. It was a nice change of pace. I can admit some of the weird bedroom stuff with her being pregnant was odd, it’s really not hard to do stuff when pregnant (I know I’ve had two and it’s normal and even encouraged at the end especially if you want the baby out). But I like the story as a whole and will read the second, I do hope the next one isn’t dragged bc it stopped being action or tense after she met her alphas and I don’t think it was brought up or properly done when they tried to do it. More sweet after she left.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024
A
Verified Purchase
Altairjones
New York, US
★★★★★ 3
I’m a little disappointed.
Format: Kindle
I usually like Jillian West’s books but this one was missing a lot for me. The pregnancy didn’t come across as real. She’s on her feet for 12 hour days but is perfectly healthy at 8 months pregnant? Yet the week she moves in all of a sudden she’s not? She is planning on actually running during one of the plot buildups. But at 8 months pregnant that’s incredibly hard to do. The lack of breathing ability and lung space, the change in body center, mass, and gravity. All of it prohibits running, unless you’re an athlete this didn’t come off as at all realistic. I didn’t feel any connection with the alphas. There wasn’t any emotional connection. It could be because of the tense it was written in. But I didn’t get any deep feelings out of this. It came across as checking off boxes. Even the spicy scenes weren’t really believable for me. I wanted to see them fall for her, and it just kind of all fizzled. Even Bishop. One thing I did really like was the ending. I did not see it coming and I’m interested in reading book two because of it. But on the whole this book was mostly disappointing for me.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
M
Verified Purchase
Melissa Williams
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
4.25 stars
Format: Kindle
Vale is an 8 month pregnant omega working as a waitress at a strip club and a cam girl. She starts to get very creepy vibes from a regular at the club, and her baby daddy ghosted her. She has had an online relationship with a man named Bishop through her cam girl status. One night, bishop was paying to watch her sleep and ansthe creepy regular Andrew break in and watch her sleep he tells vale to come to him at his business now. She flees and finds herself at a large security company with some.hot of alphas who are there to help her. This imegaverse is a little different than I have read, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. Vale is not a traditional omega she was raised by a single beta mom, and the alphas are not normal alphas they have never really loved pack life. But they are ruthless mercenaries. They need her, and she needs them. I love the aspect of the stalker and now the plot twists at the end, so so good. Sometimes, it seemed a little slow and stale mated, but since this a duet, I think It was just her starting to have Vale get to know her alpha suitors. Cliffhanger for sure with this one.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2024
A
Verified Purchase
Austin & Cambria
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
That ending 😫
Format: Kindle
I fell into a false sense of security and really thought this was gearing towards a happy ending. Then I realized there’s no work they don’t punish Andrew. I really liked Vale’s character. I don’t normally read books with pregnancy but going into this knowing she was pregnant made it more enjoyable for me. I loved Bishops devotion to her and her happiness. I also loved that Holt and Mercy couldn’t fight their attraction to her. I love scent matches so very much. I’m so curious to see how this duet will end up. And I need to pay more attention and notice that a book I’m starting is a duet to begin with lol
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025
S
Verified Purchase
Sarah A
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
oh wow
Format: Kindle
I just knew there was something about Cooper! I’m wondering if he’s about to be included but damn I’m glad he’s at least not a rapist and creepy guy, he just got called on assignment and had to go! This should be interesting! She’s gonna run and then what’s his face is gonna grab her. I’m worried! Wow that was a great book and cliffhanger! Loving this!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2025

recommand products