Tagish Lake Meteorite Specimen Historic 2000 Observed Fall Rare Carbonaceous Chondrite Canada

An authentic specimen of the legendary Tagish Lake meteorite, one of the most scientifically important and rare carbonaceous meteorite falls ever recovered. Officially classified as a C2 ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite, Tagish Lake fell over northern British Columbia and the Yukon Territory on January 18, 2000, producing a brilliant fireball witnessed across northwestern Canada.

The fall rapidly gained worldwide scientific attention because of the meteorite's extraordinary primitive composition and the unusually pristine recovery conditions. Many specimens were collected directly from frozen lake ice only days after the fall, helping preserve delicate carbonaceous material rarely recovered in such fresh condition.

Provenance: Ex: Debienne collection.

Official Classification

• Name: Tagish Lake
• Country: Canada
• Year Fell: 2000
• Observed Fall: Yes
• Classification: Carbonaceous Chondrite (C2 Ungrouped)
• Shock Stage: S1
• Total Known Weight: Approximately 5–10 kg recovered
• Official Publication: Meteoritical Bulletin 84

Physical Characteristics

Official reports describe: brilliant fireball and detonations, satellite-detected atmospheric event, dark fragile carbonaceous stones, matrix-rich structure, sparse chondrules and CAIs, extensive primitive mineralogy, and frozen lake ice recovery conditions.

Scientific Composition

Scientific analysis identified: phyllosilicates, Fe-Ni sulfides, magnetite, Ca-Mg-Fe carbonates, primitive olivine and pyroxene grains, CAIs (calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions), and high carbon content.

Why Tagish Lake Is Exceptionally Significant

• Extremely rare ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite classification
• Recovery occurred rapidly on frozen lake ice
• Contamination minimized compared to most carbonaceous falls
• Contains highly primitive carbon-rich mineralogy
• One of the most intensively studied carbonaceous meteorites ever recovered

Unlike ordinary chondrites, Tagish Lake material is: extremely dark and carbon-rich, matrix dominated, friable and delicate, chemically primitive, and highly sought after among advanced collectors and researchers.

Depending on specimen type, Tagish Lake material may display: dark matte carbonaceous matrix, fragile brecciated structure, sparse chondrules, primitive inclusions, fusion crust remnants, and fine-grained carbon-rich textures.

Ideal For

• Carbonaceous chondrite collectors
• Witnessed fall collectors
• Advanced meteorite collections
• Planetary science researchers
• Museum and educational displays
• Collectors of rare primitive meteorites

A remarkable extraterrestrial artifact connected to one of the most scientifically important meteorite falls of the modern era.

Specimen Details

• Micro Specimen: 10mg

Condition

Please review all photos carefully for overall condition, weathering, fractures, fusion crust, and structural integrity, as they are considered part of the description. Carbonaceous meteorites are naturally fragile and commonly display friability, cracking, matrix shedding, and delicate surface textures.