Achondrites
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Achondrites
An achondrite is a stony meteorite that does not contain chondrules. It consists of material similar to terrestrial basalts or plutonic rocks and has been differentiated and reprocessed to a lesser or greater degree due to melting and recrystallization on or within meteorite parent bodies. As a result, achondrites have distinct textures and mineralogies indicative of igneous processes. Achondrites account for about 8% of meteorites overall, and the majority (about two-thirds) of them are HED meteorites, possibly originating from the crust of asteroid 4 Vesta. Other types include Martian, Lunar, and several types thought to originate from as-yet unidentified asteroids. These groups have been determined on the basis of e.g. the Fe/ Mn chemical ratio and the 17O/18O oxygen isotope ratios, thought to be characteristic "fingerprints" for each parent body. Classification Achondrites are classified into the following groups:O. Richard Norton. The Cambridge encyclopedia of meteorites. ...
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Primitive Achondrite
Primitive achondrites are a subdivision of meteorites. They are classified on the same rank (historically called "Class") and lying between chondrites and achondrites. They are called primitive because they are achondrites that have retained much of their original chondritic properties. Very characteristic are relic chondrules and chemical compositions close to the composition of chondrites. These observations are explained as melt residues, partial melting, or extensive recrystallization. History The concept of primitive achondrites was first summarized in 1983. In 2006 a classification was published that assigned 7 groups to the primitive achondrites, but the classification remains controversial. The authors define primitive achondrites as meteorites "''that exceeded their solidus temperature on the parent body''" and thus would partially melt. Meteorites that have been fully melted are included if they did not reach isotopic equilibrium on their parent body. Description There ...
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Asteroidal Achondrite
An achondrite is a stony meteorite that does not contain chondrules. It consists of material similar to terrestrial basalts or plutonic rocks and has been differentiated and reprocessed to a lesser or greater degree due to melting and recrystallization on or within meteorite parent bodies. As a result, achondrites have distinct textures and mineralogies indicative of igneous processes. Achondrites account for about 8% of meteorites overall, and the majority (about two-thirds) of them are HED meteorites, possibly originating from the crust of asteroid 4 Vesta. Other types include Martian, Lunar, and several types thought to originate from as-yet unidentified asteroids. These groups have been determined on the basis of e.g. the Fe/ Mn chemical ratio and the 17O/18O oxygen isotope ratios, thought to be characteristic "fingerprints" for each parent body. Classification Achondrites are classified into the following groups:O. Richard Norton. The Cambridge encyclopedia of meteorites. UK ...
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Brachinite
Brachinites are a group of meteorites that are classified either as primitive achondrites or as asteroidal achondrites. Like all primitive achondrites, they have similarities with chondrites and achondrites. Brachinites contain 74 to 98% (volume) olivine. Naming and history Brachinites are named after the Brachina meteorite, the type specimen of this group, which in turn is named after Brachina, South Australia. Description Brachinites consist almost entirely of olivine (74 to 98% by volume). Other minerals include plagioclase (6.7 to 12.9%), iron sulfides (1.8 to 4.0%), clinopyroxene (1.5 to 8.2%) and orthopyroxene (0 to 2.4%). Trace minerals include phosphates and meteoritic iron. The only deviation from chondrites is the very high olivine/orthopyroxene ratio. Specimens As of 2022, there were 56 meteorites classified as brachinites. A notable example is the type specimen, the Brachina meteorite. See also * Glossary of meteoritics This is a glossary of terms used in meteoriti ...
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Howardite
Howardites are achondritic stony meteorites that originate from the surface of the asteroid 4 Vesta, and as such are part of the HED meteorite clan. There are about 200 distinct members known. Characteristics They are a regolith breccia consisting mostly of eucrite and diogenite fragments, although carbonaceous chondrules and impact melt can also occur. The rock formed from impact ejecta which was later buried by newer impacts and lithified due to the pressure from overlying layers. Regolith breccias are not found on Earth due to a lack of regolith on bodies which have an atmosphere. Name Howardites are named for Edward Howard, a pioneer of meteoritics. An arbitrary divide between howardites and the polymict eucrites is a 9:1 ratio of eucrite to diogenite fragments. See also * Glossary of meteoritics This is a glossary of terms used in meteoritics, the science of meteorites. # * 2 Pallas – an asteroid from the asteroid belt and one of the likely parent bodies of the C ...
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Meteorite
A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or Natural satellite, moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere, various factors such as friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheric gases cause it to heat up and radiate energy. It then becomes a meteor and forms a Meteoroid#Fireball, fireball, also known as a shooting star; astronomers call the brightest examples "Bolide#Astronomy, bolides". Once it settles on the larger body's surface, the meteor becomes a meteorite. Meteorites vary greatly in size. For geologists, a bolide is a meteorite large enough to create an impact crater. Meteorites that are recovered after being observed as they transit the atmosphere and Impact event, impact the Earth are called meteorite falls. All others are known as meteorite finds. Meteorites have traditiona ...
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Winonaite
Winonaites are a group of primitive achondrite meteorites. Like all primitive achondrites, winonaites share similarities with chondrites and achondrites. They show signs of metamorphism, partial melting, brecciation and relic chondrules. Their chemical and mineralogical composition lies between H and E chondrites. Naming and history The winonaite group is named after the type specimen, the Winona meteorite. The name itself derived from Winona, Arizona where the type specimen was said to be found during an archaeological excavation of the Sinagua village Elden Pueblo in September 1928. The Sinagua lived in the village between 1150 and 1275. The meteorite was said to be retrieved from the cist of one of the rooms. However, a later study indicates the meteorite was found at another Sinagua site and not in Elden Pueblo.A. L. Christenson "J. W. Simmons' account of the discovery of the Winona meteorite."''Meteorite'' 10(3):14–16, 2004. As of 2021, 54 meteorites are included in t ...
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HED Meteorite
HED meteorites are a clan (subgroup) of achondrite meteorites. HED stands for "howardite–eucrite–diogenite". These achondrites came from a differentiated parent body and experienced extensive igneous processing not much different from the magmatic rocks found on Earth and for this reason they closely resemble terrestrial igneous rocks. Classification HED meteorites are broadly divided into: * Howardites * Eucrites * Diogenites Several subgroups of both eucrites and diogenites have been found. The HED meteorites account for about 5% of all falls, which is about 60% of all achondrites. Origin No matter their composition all these types of meteorite are thought to have originated in the crust of the asteroid Vesta. According to this theory the differences of composition are due to their ejection at different moments in the geologic history of Vesta. Their crystallization ages have been determined to be between 4.43 and 4.55 billion years from radioisotope ratios. HED meteorit ...
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Aubrite
Aubrites are a group of meteorites named for Aubres, a small achondrite meteorite that fell near Nyons, France, in 1836. They are primarily composed of the orthopyroxene enstatite and are often called enstatite achondrites. Their igneous origin separates them from primitive enstatite achondrites and means they originated in an asteroid. Aubrites are typically light-colored with a brownish fusion crust. Most aubrites are heavily brecciated; they are often said to look "lunar" in origin. Aubrites are primarily composed of large white crystals of the Fe-poor, Mg-rich orthopyroxene, or enstatite, with minor phases of olivine, nickel-iron metal, and troilite, indicating a magmatic formation under extremely reducing conditions. The severe brecciation of most aubrites attests to a violent history for their parent body. Since some aubrites contain chondritic xenoliths, it is likely that the aubrite parent body collided with an asteroid of “F-chondritic” composition. Comparisons of au ...
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Eucrite
Eucrites are achondritic stony meteorites, many of which originate from the surface of the asteroid 4 Vesta and are part of the HED meteorite clan. They are the most common achondrite group with over 100 meteorites found. Eucrites consist of basaltic rock from the crust of 4 Vesta or a similar parent body. They are mostly composed of calcium-poor pyroxene, pigeonite, and calcium-rich plagioclase ( anorthite). Based on differences of chemical composition and features of the component crystals, they are subdivided into several groups: * Non-cumulate eucrites are the most common variety and can be subdivided further: ** Main series eucrites formed near the surface and are mostly regolith breccias lithified under the pressure of overlying newer deposits. ** Stannern trend eucrites are a rare variety. ** Nuevo Laredo trend eucrites are thought to come from deeper layers of 4 Vesta's crust, and are a transition group towards the cumulate eucrites. * Cumulate eucrites are rare typ ...
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Eucrite
Eucrites are achondritic stony meteorites, many of which originate from the surface of the asteroid 4 Vesta and are part of the HED meteorite clan. They are the most common achondrite group with over 100 meteorites found. Eucrites consist of basaltic rock from the crust of 4 Vesta or a similar parent body. They are mostly composed of calcium-poor pyroxene, pigeonite, and calcium-rich plagioclase ( anorthite). Based on differences of chemical composition and features of the component crystals, they are subdivided into several groups: * Non-cumulate eucrites are the most common variety and can be subdivided further: ** Main series eucrites formed near the surface and are mostly regolith breccias lithified under the pressure of overlying newer deposits. ** Stannern trend eucrites are a rare variety. ** Nuevo Laredo trend eucrites are thought to come from deeper layers of 4 Vesta's crust, and are a transition group towards the cumulate eucrites. * Cumulate eucrites are rare typ ...
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Lodranite
Lodranites are a small group of primitive achondrite meteorites that consists of meteoric iron and silicate minerals. Olivine and pyroxene make up most of the silicate minerals. Like all primitive achondrites lodranites share similarities with chondrites and achondrites. Naming and history The lodranite group is named after Lodhran, Pakistan, where the type specimen fell on 1 October 1868 at 14:00. Eyewitnesses of the fall reported a loud bang accompanied by a rising dust cloud to the east of the city, which led to the discovery and retrieval of the meteorite. The "meteorite from Lodran" was first described by Gustav Tschermak in 1870. He described the meteorite being "''apart from the nickel-iron it is an olivine-bronzite aggregates of such outstanding sort, that has never been found in a meteorite before only similar to the terrestrial olivine rock''". George Thurland Prior was the first to classify the lodran meteorite as the only member of the lodranite group. He als ...
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Diogenite
Diogenites are a group of the HED meteorite clan, a type of achondritic stony meteorites. Origin and composition Diogenites are currently believed to originate from deep within the crust of the asteroid 4 Vesta, and as such are part of the HED meteorite clan. There are about 40 distinct members known. Diogenites are composed of igneous rocks of plutonic origin, having solidified slowly enough deep within Vesta's crust to form crystals which are larger than in the eucrites. These crystals are primarily magnesium-rich orthopyroxene, with small amounts of plagioclase and olivine. Name Diogenites are named for Diogenes of Apollonia, an ancient Greek philosopher who was the first to suggest an outer space origin for meteorites. See also * Glossary of meteoritics * Vesta family The Vesta family (adj. ''Vestian''; ) is a family of asteroids. The cratering family is located in the inner asteroid belt in the vicinity of its namesake and principal body, 4 Vesta. It is one of the ...
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