Tamdakht meteorite
The Tamdakht meteorite fell near Ouarzazate, Morocco on 2008-12-20 producing a strewn field of approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) by 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) and two small impact craters, one of about 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in) diameter and 70 centimetres (28 in) depth at 31°09.8′N 7°00.9′W and the other of about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) diameter and 10 centimetres (3.9 in) depth at 31°09.9′N 07°02.3′W.[1]
| Tamdakht meteorite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Ordinary chondrite[1] |
| Class | H5 |
| Shock stage | S3 |
| Weathering grade | W0 |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Ouarzazate |
| Coordinates | 31°09.8′N 7°00.9′W |
| Observed fall | Yes |
| Fall date | 2008-12-20 |
| Found date | 2009-01-03 ff |
| TKW | ~100 kilograms (220 lb) |
| Strewn field | Yes |
The meteorite is named after a village close to the fall.[2]
On April 22, 2017 small bits of the meteorite were handed out to children at the Boston March for Science.
Mineralogy
Petrology: (by Albert Jambon, Omar Boudouma, D. Badia UPVI and M. Denise, MNHNP[1]): Abundant chondrules with visible but not well-delimited outlines. Chondrule size is 0.1 to 1.5 mm. Dominant olivine and orthopyroxene. Abundant chromite, rare clinopyroxene and ilmenite. Numerous pockets with chromite, plagioclase and phosphate (merrilite and Cl-apatite). Kamacite, with deformed Neumann bands, and taenite, twinned troilite. Copper. Mode: metal+troilite 10%.
Mineral compositions and geochemistry:[1] log χ = 5.3. Olivine Fa18 ± 0.5 Opx = En83 Fs16 Wo2 Minor calcic pyroxene. Plagioclase is Ab83–86 An5–15 Or7–2. Ca-phosphate (merrillite and Cl-apatite). Chromite: Cr# (100× molar Cr/[Cr + Al]) = 82. Metal: kamacite with 5% Ni and taenite with 36–47% Ni. Oxygen isotopes (C. Suavet, J. Gattacecca CEREGE): δ17O = 3.26‰, δ18O = 5.01‰, and Δ17O = 0.65‰. Magnetic susceptibility is log χ = 5.3 × 10–9 m3/kg.
Classification
Ordinary chondrite (H5), S3, W0.[1]
See also
References
- "Tamdakht". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- THOMAS, Philippe. "Tamdakht". METEORITICA. Retrieved 22 December 2012.