Dhofar 960

Oman

Found 2003 November 16

Lunar meteorite (feldspathic impact melt breccia)

A gray stone weighing 35.4 g was found in the Dhofar region of Oman. Mineralogy and classification (S. Demidova, Vernad., F. Brandstaetter, NHMV): Fusion crust is absent. The meteorite is an impact melt breccia with abundant mineral fragments and lithic clasts set within a fine-grained impact melt matrix. The lithic clasts are impact melt breccias and granulitic rocks of anorthositic, gabbro-noritic, troctolitic, and noritic compositions. A presence of VLT mare basalt clasts, KREEPy and rare granitic fragments is a characteristic feature of the meteorite. Glass veins and fragments are common. Mineral compositions are as follows; plagioclase, An_57-98Or_0-6; orthopyroxene, Wo_3-5En_66-78; clinopyroxene; Wo_5-43En_0.4-73; olivine, Fo_4-90 (Fe/Mn ≈ 92 at); accessory minerals are ulvöspinel, Cr-rich ulvöspinel, Ti-rich chromite, Al-rich chromite, pleonaste, ilmenite (0.7-7.4 wt % MgO), silica, troilite, FeNi metal (5-21 wt% Ni; 0.3-0.7 wt% Co); K-Ba feldspar, pyroxferroite, whitlockite, apatite, baddeleyite, Zr-armalcolite and Zr-rich phases. The stone is moderately weathered; calcite, gypsum, celestite, smectite and Fe hydroxides are present. The meteorite was found close to Dho 925 and they are similar in texture, petrography and mineral chemistry. The stones may be paired. Specimens: type specimens of 7.4 g and 2 thin sections deposited at Vernad.  The main mass is held by an anonymous finder.