Scientists are very excited about these specimens because they exhibit unique textural characteristics not previously found in any other known meteorites! The material must have been heated to a point where it became "plasticized" and mixed, presumably in the deep interior (mantle) of the NWA 5480 parent body (presumably Vesta-related). By analogy with deformed olivine-orthopyroxene-rich samples of the Earth's mantle (known as harzburgites), it appears likely that temperatures were high enough that NWA 5480 represents a solid residue after partial melting to produce molten magma, which presumably ascended towards the surface of the parent body. The "swirl" texture that can be seen on the interior and exterior graphically displays the flowing and mixing of the olivine and orthopyroxene grains, with intermingled chromite crystals.

Meteoritical Bulletin entry for NWA 5480:
Click here for the Official classification of NWA 5480

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