Diogenite
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Diogenites are achondritic stony meteorites that originate from deep within the crust of the asteroid 4 Vesta, and as such are part of the HED meteorite group. 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.
Diogenites are named for Diogenes of Apollonia, an ancient Greek philosopher who was the first to suggest an outer space origin for meteorites.
[edit] External links
- HED Group - Meteorites from Vesta
- Diogenite images from Meteorites Australia - Meteorites.com.au
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