Acapulcoite

Acapulcoites are a group of the primitive achondrite class of stony meteorites.

Acapulcoite
— Group —
NWA 2989, an example of an acapulcoite meteorite
TypeAchondrite
Structural classification?
ClassPrimitive achondrite
Subgroups
  • None?
Parent bodyUnknown
CompositionOlivine, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, meteoric iron, troilite
Total known specimensFifty two
Alternative namesAcapulcoites, Acapulcoite group, Acapulcoite meteorites

Naming and history

The acapulcoites are named after the only specimen of the group, with a witnessed fall. The Acapulca meteorite fell on 11 August 1976 at 11:00 near El Quemado Colony (16.883°N 99.9°W / 16.883; -99.9), outside Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. It had a mass of 1,914 grams (67.5 oz). The stone was retrieved 15 minutes afterwards from a 30 centimetres (12 in) deep crater and was cool to the touch.[1] Following that discovery, 52 meteorite specimens have been classified as acapulcoites.[2]

Chemical composition

Acapulcoites are primarily composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, meteoric iron, and troilite.

Like all primitive achondrites, acapulcoites have chemical composition and mineralogical similarities with chondrites,[3] some specimen even show relic chondrules. Their mineral composition lies between H and E chondrites.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Acapulco". Meteoritical Bulletin Database. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  2. "Meteoritical Bulletin Database". Meteoritical Bulletin. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  3. "PAC Group - Primitive Achondrites". Meteorite.fr. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
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