Diogenite, polymict
Fell 17 Apr 1974, 1 kg

After a fireball and a sonic boom, meteorite material was recovered from three separate sites in the desert. The meteorite is primarily made of homogeneous orthopyroxene (En74) accompanied by minor chromite. Modal analyses reveal a meteorite with more than 95 vol% orthopyroxene, ~1 vol% clinopyroxene, ≤1 vol% chromite and traces of other phases. However, a Eucritic clast which accounts for 5-10% of the meteorite appears to have a more variegated mineralogy with a pyroxene-plagioclase intergrowth accompanied by minor amounts of ferroan pigeonite and augite, silica, chromite, ilmenite, and metallic iron. A cosmic ray exposure age of ~12.5 million years is not unlike other Diogenites and other members of the HED group (Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite) of achondrites.

The recent DAWN mission to Vesta has made it very clear that most Diogenites are fragments from asteroid 4 Vesta, the brightest asteroid. However, definitive statements about specific HED meteorite parent bodies are still some time away as a few HED meteorites have come from some other presently unknown asteroidal bodies.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

7 valid minerals.

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

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Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ 'Polymict breccia diogenite meteorite'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Anorthite

Formula: Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)

Description: Plagioclase (An~85)

References:

Duke, M. B. (1978) Aioun El Atrouss - Evidence for thermal recrystallization of a eucrite breccia: Meteoritics 13(4): 443-448. (Dec 1978)

ⓘ Anorthite var. Bytownite

Formula: (Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]

Description: Plagioclase (An~85)

References:

Duke, M. B. (1978) Aioun El Atrouss - Evidence for thermal recrystallization of a eucrite breccia: Meteoritics 13(4): 443-448. (Dec 1978)

ⓘ Augite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

Duke, M. B. (1978) Aioun El Atrouss - Evidence for thermal recrystallization of a eucrite breccia: Meteoritics 13(4): 443-448. (Dec 1978)

ⓘ Augite var. Ferroaugite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

Bowman, L. E., Papike, J. J. & Spilde, M. N. (1999) Diogenites as asteroidal cumulates: Insights from spinel chemistry: American Mineralogist: 84 (7-8): 1020–1026. (July-August 1999)

ⓘ 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

References:

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

Description: Fe metal in clast (Nickel content not provided)

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

ⓘ Pigeonite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

Description: Ferroan pigeonite in Eucrite clast

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

Duke, M. B. (1978) Aioun El Atrouss - Evidence for thermal recrystallization of a eucrite breccia: Meteoritics 13(4): 443-448. (Dec 1978)

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

ⓘ 'Silica'

Description: Silica is reported for the Eucrite clast

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Iron	1.AE.05	Fe
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Pigeonite	9.DA.10	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Augite	9.DA.15	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
ⓘ	var. Ferroaugite	9.DA.15	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Anorthite	9.FA.35	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
ⓘ	var. Bytownite	9.FA.35	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Silica'	-
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
O	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Anorthite var. Bytownite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Pigeonite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Augite var. Ferroaugite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Anorthite var. Bytownite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Pigeonite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Mg	ⓘ Augite var. Ferroaugite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Al	ⓘ Anorthite var. Bytownite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Si	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Anorthite var. Bytownite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]
Si	ⓘ Pigeonite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	ⓘ Augite var. Ferroaugite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Ca	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Anorthite var. Bytownite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si₂O₈]
Ca	ⓘ Pigeonite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Augite var. Ferroaugite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Pigeonite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Fe	ⓘ Augite var. Ferroaugite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

African PlateTectonic Plate

Taoudenni basinBasin
West African CratonCraton
- Mali BasinShield

West AfricaUN Subregion

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References

Lomena, I.S.M., Toure, F., Gibson, E.K. Jr., Clanton, U.S. & Reid, A.M. (1976) Aioun el Atrouss: a new hypersthene achondrite with eucritic inclusions. Meteoritics 11 (1): 451-57. (Mar 1976)

Duke, M. B. (1978) Aioun El Atrouss - Evidence for thermal recrystallization of a eucrite breccia: Meteoritics 13(4): 443-448. (Dec 1978)

Bowman, L. E., Spilde, M. N. & Papike, P. P. (1997) Automated dispersive spectrometer modal analysis applied to diogenites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 32 (6): 869-875. (Nov 1997)

Bowman, L. E., Papike, J. J. & Spilde, M. N. (1999) Diogenites as asteroidal cumulates: Insights from spinel chemistry: American Mineralogist: 84 (7-8): 1020–1026. (July-August 1999)

Grady, Monica (2000) Catalogue of Meteorites (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php

McSween, Harry Y.; Binzel, Richard P.; De Sanctis, M. Cristina; Ammannito, Eleonora; Prettyman, Thomas H.; Beck, Andrew W.; Reddy, Vishnu; Le Corre, Lucille; Gaffey, Michael J.; McCord, Thomas B.; et al. (2013) Dawn; the Vesta–HED connection; and the geologic context for eucrites, diogenites, and howardites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 48 (11). 2090-2104 doi:10.1111/maps.12108

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