scale cube

English

A meteorite with 1 cm scale cube at left

Etymology

From scale +‎ cube.

Noun

scale cube (plural scale cubes)

1. (geology, photography) A reference cube of standard, unitary size, normally one centimetre long, or one inch long for older American versions, placed beside a rock or meteorite sample to show scale and orientation during photography. Four sides of the cube are marked N, S, E, and W, respectively, to indicate the cardinal points of the compass, and the other two sides are marked T and B, for top and bottom.

References

• A Lesson in Scale Cube History Dr. Svend Buhl, 2001–2009.