Dhofar 1180                                    18°54′52'′′N, 54°20′42′′E

Dhofar, Oman

Find: January 2005

Achondrite (lunar)

History: M. Farmer recovered a specimen in the Dhofar region of Oman.

Physical characteristics: The 115.2 g meteorite has an odd external shape akin to a thick-bladed talon.

Petrography: (T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU) The sample is a feldspathic fragmental breccia that contains a variety of lithologies set in matrix of similar materials with a preferred orientation of fragments and clasts. Mostly ferroan anorthosites with clasts of gabbroic anorthosites, anorthositic gabbros and norites, troctolites, olivine gabbros, microporphyritic and fine-grained impact-melt breccias, and rare, ophitic/subophitic basalts and symplectites of unknown provenance.

Mineral compositions and geochemistry: Anorthositic plagioclase (An_94.5–98; FeO = 0.28–0.78 wt%); olivines (FeO/ MnO = 82–110), ferroan anorthosite (Fa₃₈), norite (Fa₁₈), olivine gabbro (Fa_36.8); orthopyroxenes (FeO/MnO = 50–73), ferroan anorthosite (Fs_38.6Wo_2.1), olivine gabbro (Fs_33.4Wo_4.3), ophitic basalt core (Fs₄₀Wo_11.8) and rim (Fs_69.1Wo_15.8).

Classification: Achondrite (lunar, feldspathic fragmental breccia). Minimal weathering.

Type specimen: A 20.6 g sample is on deposit at NAU. MFarmer and Strope hold the main mass.