Brachinites are a group of meteorites that are classified either as primitive achondrites or as asteroidal achondrites. Like all primitive achondrites, they have similarities with chondrites and achondrites. Brachinites contain 74 to 98% (volume) olivine.
Naming and history edit
Brachinites are named after the Brachina meteorite, the type specimen of this group, which in turn is named after Brachina, South Australia.[1]
Description edit
Brachinites consist almost entirely of olivine (74 to 98% by volume). Other minerals include plagioclase (6.7 to 12.9%), iron sulfides (1.8 to 4.0%), clinopyroxene (1.5 to 8.2%) and orthopyroxene (0 to 2.4%). Trace minerals include phosphates and meteoritic iron. The only deviation from chondrites is the very high olivine/orthopyroxene ratio.[2]
Specimens edit
As of 2022, there were 56 meteorites classified as brachinites.[3] A notable example is the type specimen, the Brachina meteorite.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Brachina". Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Nehru, C. E.; M. Prinz; M. K. Weisberg; M. Ebihara; R. N. Clayton; T. K. Mayeda (1992). "Brachinites: A New Primitive Achondrite Group". Meteoritics. 27 (3): 267.
- ^ "Meteoritical Bulletin Database". Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 21 November 2022.