Diogenites are named for Diogenes of Apollonia, an ancient Greek philosopher who was the first to suggest an outer space origin for meteorites. They believed to originate from deep within the crust of the asteroid 4 Vesta, and as such are part of the HED meteorite clan. 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. [wiki]
This large fragment of the Bilanga diogenite fell in 1999. Found broken immediately after the witnessed fall. Only 20% of fusion crust remains. The interior is a diogenitic breccia; a crystaline Ca-poor otho-pyroxine in a gray matrix. Lacking in silica the rock seems breakable. The specimen will shipping in 9 x 9 x 5 cm box with cushion.
56 x 36 x 27 mm
60 g fragment$3,600.00
