Acapulcoite

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Acapulcoite
— Group —
Type Achondrite
Structural classification ?
Class Primitive achondrite
Subgroups
  • None?
Parent body Unknown
Composition Olivine, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, meteoric iron, troilite
Total known specimens Fifty two
Alternative names Acapulcoites, Acapulcoite group, Acapulcoite meteorites

Acapulcoites are a group of the primitive achondrite class of stony meteorites.

Naming and history

The acapulcoites are named after the only specimen of the group, with a witnessed fall. The Acapulca meteorite fell on 11 August 1976 at 11:00 near El Quemado Colony (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.), outside Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. It had a mass of 1,914 grams (67.5 oz). The stone was retrieved 15 minutes afterwards from a 30 centimetres (12 in) deep crater and was cool to the touch.[1] Following that discovery 52 meteorite specimens have been classified as acapulcoites.[2]

Chemical composition

Acapulcoites are primarily composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, meteoric iron, and troilite.

Like all primitive achondrites, acapulcoites have chemical composition and mineralogical similarities with chondrites,[3] some specimen even show relic chondrules. Their mineral composition lies between H and E chondrites.[3]

See also

References

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