On Offer: 168.9g Diogenite HED achondrite meteorite with some crust.

Official name: Northwest Africa 16081

Abbreviation: NWA 16081

Type: HED achondrite (Diogenite)

Parent Body: Vesta or Vestoid

Year found: 2022

Country: (Northwest Africa)

Description: 168.9 gram specimen of an amazing diogenite HED achondrite partially covered in black fusion crust with exposed areas showing a light colored interior with a slight green hue.

The HED Meteorite Clan: petrological evidence and data from NASA's Dawn mission indicate that nearly monomineralic ultramafic orthopyroxenite, olivine-bearing, and the much more rare harzburgitic, and dunite diogenites formed alongside each other. They likely originated as cumulates within localized magma chambers (plutons) situated across Vesta's lower crust and the lower-crust/upper-mantle transition zone. While the eucrites represent more evolved plagioclase rich mafic upper to middle zone crustal material. The howardites were formed by impact mixing of the diogenitic and eucritic material both in situ and during ejection events.

The HED meteorites are so named for the three types of meteorites that comprise the group; Howardite, Eucrite and Diogenite. The Eucrite and Diogenite are meteorites with distinct chemistries, while the Howardite is a mix of the eucritic and diogenitic material. The HEDs are differentiated achondritic meteorites, thought to originate from the large differentiated asteroid 4 Vesta. Vesta is one of the only asteroids visible with the naked eye and low powered telescopes.

The Vesta parent body origin for the HED clan of meteorites is considered to have been conclusively established for many years. However, the late Dr. John Wasson, a planetary science researcher from UCLA had long held that the HED meteorite clan originated from another unknown Vesta-like asteroid that was blown apart long ago. This is because we also find a class of iron meteorites with nearly identical oxygen isotopes as the HED clan. This along with other research lead Dr. Wasson to conclude the HED clan of meteorites come from another differentiated V-type asteroid that was in a cataclysmic collision liberating part or all of its metal core along with the HED meteorites.

However, this hypothesis does not necessarily rule out the possibility that a "reaccreted" Vesta and the smaller V-type asteroids collectively known as Vestoids along with the HED meteorites and the isotopically paired irons were all once part of a much larger dwarf planet prior to a massive collision with another large body. While most researchers consider the case mostly closed on this debate, the paradox of isotopically paired core metal raised by Dr. Wasson's hypothesis has not been resolved. This leaves some to speculate that perhaps we still have more to learn about this fascinating clan of achondrite meteorites and even Vesta itself. Diogenite have distinct mineralogies, the Howardite is a breccia of the Eucrite and Diogenite.

The HEDs are differentiated achondritic meteorites thought to originate from Vesta, or a smaller Vesta-like asteroid known as a vestoid. 

What you get: 168.9 gram diogenite meteorite specimen as shown, & signed Certificate of Authenticity.

We offer a 100% no questions asked 30 day return policy.

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