diogenite
{{Short description|Group of achondritic stony meteorites that originate from the asteroid 4 Vesta}}
{{Infobox meteorite subdivision
|Subdivision = Group
|Name = Diogenite
|Alternative_names =
|Image = JohnstownDiogenite.jpg
|Image_caption = The Johnstown Diogenite.
|Image_alt_text =
|Compositional_type =
|Type = Achondrite
|Class = Asteroidal achondrite
|Clan = HED
|Group =
|Structural_classification = Igneous rocks of plutonic origin
|Parent_body = 4 Vesta
|Composition = Primarily magnesium-rich orthopyroxene, a little plagioclase & olivine
|Petrologic_type =
|Number_of_specimens = ~40
|TKW =
|Image2 = Tatahouine Diogenite 72g.jpg
|Image2_caption = Tatahouine, diogenite
|Image2_alt_text =
}}
Diogenites are a group of the HED meteorite clan, a type of achondritic stony meteorites.
Origin and composition
Diogenites are currently believed to originate from deep within the crust of the asteroid 4 Vesta, and as such are part of the HED meteorite clan. There are about 40 distinct members known.
Diogenites are composed of igneous rocks of plutonic origin, having solidified slowly enough deep within Vesta's crust to form crystals which are larger than in the eucrites. These crystals are primarily magnesium-rich orthopyroxene, with small amounts of plagioclase and olivine.{{cite journal |last=Beck |first=A. W. |last2=McSween |first2=H. Y. |year=2010 |title=Diogenites as polymict breccias composed of orthopyroxenite and harzburgite |journal=Meteoritics and Planetary Science |volume=45 |issue=5 |pages=850–872 |doi=10.1111/j.1945-5100.2010.01061.x |bibcode = 2010M&PS...45..850B |doi-access=free }}
Name
Diogenites are named for Diogenes of Apollonia, an ancient Greek philosopher who was the first to suggest an outer space origin for meteorites.{{cite web|last=Dawn|first=Walter & Audrey|title=Why is it called Diogenite?|url=http://www.diogenite.com/|access-date=18 July 2011|archive-date=18 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918134738/http://diogenite.com/|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.meteorites.com.au/collection/achondrites.html#Diogenites Diogenite images] - Meteorites Australia
{{Meteorites}}