Dhofar 850

Oman

Found  November 15, 2002

Ordinary chondrite LL3.

One stone weighing 208 g was found in the Dhofar region of сеntral Oman. Mineralogy and classification (M. Ivanova, M. Nazarov, Vernad): the meteorite consists of chondrules 0.05-1.5 mm in size, of different types:  PO, POP, BO, RP, CC, and their fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix; olivine is Fa_4.1-46, PMD 32.5 %, the average is Fa₂₇; low-Ca pyroxene varies from Fs_0.3En₉₉ to Fs₃₆En₆₂; minor phases pigeonite, augite, chromite, kamacite, taenite, and troilite; kamacite (Ni 4.9-6.2 wt%) contains Co (up to 2.3 wt%); POP and PO chondrules are zoned and contain a glassy mesostasis.  Thermoluminescence studies show petrological type 3.4/3.5 (A. I. Ivliev, Vernad.). The matrix contains amorphous materials and chemically resembles matrices of carbonaceous chondrites; the average matrix composition is (wt%): 33.9 SiO₂, 2.33 Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, 28.5 FeO, 20.8 MgO, 2,17 CaO, 0.73 Na₂O, 0,14 K₂O, 1.28 NiO, 0.22 P₂O₅, 1.59 SO₃.  Weathering grade is W3; shock stage is S3. Specimens: one thin section and 42 g, Vernad.; main mass with anonymous finder.