Dhofar 950

Oman

Found 2003 November 11

Lunar meteorite (feldspathic impact melt breccia)

A gray stone weighing 21.7 g was found in the Dhofar region of Oman. Mineralogy and classification (М. Nazarov, Vernad., Th. Ntaflos, University of Vienna): fusion crust is absent. The meteorite is an impact melt breccia with mineral fragments and lithic clasts cemented by a glassy impact melt matrix.  The lithic clast population includes mainly granulitic rocks of anorthositic, troctolitic, gabbro-noritic and gabbro-anorthositic compositions. The sample contains abundant veins of glass. Mineral compositions are as follows: feldspar, An_92-98Or_0-0.3; orthopyroxene, Wo_0.4-5En_55-91; clinopyroxene; Wo_5-44En_30-72; olivine, Fo_52-92 (Fe/Mn ≈ 85 at); accessory phases are Al-rich enstatite, Mg,Al-rich spinel, pleonaste, Al-rich chromite, ilmenite (1.1-8.5 wt % MgO), armalcolite, silica, troilite, and FeNi metal (0.6-8 wt% Ni; 0.4-1.1 wt% Co). Matrix glass composition: SiO₂ 43.9, TiO₂ 0.05, Al₂O₃ 33.1, FeO 1.08, MgO 1.77, CaO 18.6, Na₂O 0.37, (wt%). The stone contains moderately weathered gypsum, celestite, and Fe hydroxides. The meteorite may be paired with Dho 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 311, 730, 731 found nearby. Specimens: type specimens of 4.8 g and a thin section, Vernad. The main mass is held by an anonymous finder.