Iron Meteorite Aletaï in Levitation
PUMI2686-6
Discovered in 1890 in the Xinflang region, this meteorite belongs to the category of iron meteorites (Iron), more precisely to the IIE-an group. Its composition is dominated by iron (98%), combined with nickel in the form of taenite and plessite — two typical alloys found in differentiated meteorites that have undergone extremely slow cooling in the vacuum of space.
One of its surfaces has been slightly polished, not for aesthetic reasons, but to reveal the internal metallic texture. It is common practice among collectors and researchers to polish a surface in order to observe the internal structure, sometimes even revealing the characteristic Widmanstätten patterns. These geometric structures result from the slow crystallization of iron and nickel in space — a process that cannot be replicated on Earth.
Displayed here in vertical levitation, the meteorite defies gravity one last time, a quiet nod to its cosmic journey.
A rare and magnetic piece — in every sense of the word.
One of its surfaces has been slightly polished, not for aesthetic reasons, but to reveal the internal metallic texture. It is common practice among collectors and researchers to polish a surface in order to observe the internal structure, sometimes even revealing the characteristic Widmanstätten patterns. These geometric structures result from the slow crystallization of iron and nickel in space — a process that cannot be replicated on Earth.
Displayed here in vertical levitation, the meteorite defies gravity one last time, a quiet nod to its cosmic journey.
A rare and magnetic piece — in every sense of the word.
