Acapulcoite
— Group —
NWA 2989, an example of an acapulcoite meteorite
TypeAchondrite
Structural classification?
ClassPrimitive achondrite
Subgroups
  • None?
Parent bodyUnknown
CompositionOlivine, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, meteoric iron, troilite
Total known specimensFifty two
Alternative namesAcapulcoites, 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 (16°52′59″N 99°54′00″W / 16.883°N 99.9°W / 16.883; -99.9), 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

  1. ^ "Acapulco". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Meteoritical Bulletin Database". Meteoritical Bulletin. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b "PAC Group - Primitive Achondrites". Meteorite.fr. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
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