NWA 2736: An Unusual New Graphite-bearing AubriteAubrites are enstatite-rich achondrites that are probably related to enstatite chondrite parent bodies. The exact link, if any, is not understood. They may have formed from melting within one or more enstatite chondrite parent bodies. Description of NWA 2736: One complete stone weighing 171.51 grams was recovered from the Sahara Desert by nomads sometime before September 2004. It was completely covered with fusion crust and desert varnish. This stone is severely weathered, with caramel brown coloration throughout and calcite veins that extend into the interior of the sample. Mineral analyses were performed and elemental x-ray maps were obtained with a CAMECA SX-50 electron microprobe at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona. The relatively high modal abundance of albitic plagioclase, presence of euhedral graphite, depletion of troilite, and occurrence of pervasive kamacite veins (some with daubreelite) all indicate that NWA 2736 has a complex history and may sample a new region of the aubrite parent body. A discussion and analysis on the overall texture of NWA 2736 is presented.
Document ID
20050171005
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lowe, J. J. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Hill, D. H. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Domanik, K. J. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Lauretta, D. S. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Drake, M. J. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Killgore, M. (Southwest Meteorite Lab. Payson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI, Part 12