Patrimonio meteorite, Patrimônio, Minas Gerais, Brazili

Regional Level Types
Patrimonio meteorite	Meteorite Fall Location
Patrimônio	Municipality
Minas Gerais	State
Brazil	Country

Ordinary chondrite (L6)
Fall, 6 August 1950; 2.12 kg, small shower

After detonations at least 20 small stones fell in the village of Patrimônio. The interior of examined specimens are characterized by sparse & usually poorly defined chondrules of various textures largely intergrown with the recrystallized matrix. Chondrules have apparent diameters within a 0.3-1.8 mm range (mean 1.2 mm). Rare instances of devitrified glass are still present in some chondrules. Mineralogically the meteorite consists primarily of olivine, orthopyroxene, and albitic plagioclase accompanied by minor troilite and Fe-Ni metal. Accessory chromite, diopside, and merrillite are also present. Total iron (Fe 21.5 wt%) and major silicate composition [olivine (Fa25), orthopyroxene (Fs20.7)] are characteristic of the L-chondrite geochemical group. Textures, mineralogical equilibration, and lack of primary glass are all consistent with the L6 petrologic type.

The L (relatively low in total iron) ordinary chondrites represent approximately 40% of the witnessed and properly classified meteorite falls. Approximately 70% of the group are classified as petrologic type L6. Patrimonio is one of the 4 Brazilian and 271 worldwide falls which have been classified exactly as 'L6' chondrites (as of June 2016). The main mass has been kept at the Museu Nacional-Universidade (Rio de Janeiro), but a number of very small samples are traded on the internet.

Spelling of meteorite names: Patrimonio meteorite vs. Patrimônio village.

During the past two decades the use of diacritical markers and other language-specific spelling conventions has become common in the recognized official (and unique) names of newly recovered meteorites. However, to prevent confusion official names and their spellings for older meteorites are seldom altered once an official meteorite name has been designated.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References