Dhofar 2122 (Dho 2122)        19°23.731’N, 54°31.758’E

Zufar, Oman

Find: 2018 Feb 10

Classification: Lunar meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

History: Three fragments were found in close proximity during a search for meteorites.

Physical characteristics: Three grey fragments with rusty specks and light clasts, maximum dimensions of 5.5, 3 and 2 cm, irregular surface, no fusion crust preserved.

Petrography: (J. Pape, E. Gnos, B. Hofmann) The sample shows a complex brecciated texture with rock and mineral clasts up to 5 mm embedded in a fine-grained matrix. Feldspar grains and feldspar-rich clasts are partly transformed to maskelynite. Most feldspar, olivine and pyroxene grains are highly fractured, show fine-grained recrystallization and irregular and undulatory extinction. The sample contains mm-sized mafic clasts of fine-grained olivine, pigeonite and Cr-spinel mineral assemblages. Several roundish pockets appear mostly black in polarized transmitted light, contain variable mineral inclusions, and are interpreted to mostly consist of glass. The largest mineral/rock clasts are up to 3 mm. Additional observed phases are troilite, grains of Fe-Ni metal up to 0.5 mm and Cr-spinel. Common veins of terrestrial calcite. Medium weathering.

Geochemistry: (J. Pape) Olivine composition: Fa_30.9±10.2 (range Fa_21.4-52.8), Fe/Mg = 0.5±0.3, Fe/Mn = 83.4±7.7 (N = 18), two Fe-rich olivine analyses give Fa_92.2±1.2 (N = 2). Low-Ca pyroxene composition (pigeonite or orthopyroxene): Fs_27.8±5.1Wo_9.5±5.5 (range Fs_20.6-38.1Wo_2.9-22.3), Fe/Mg = 0.5±0.1 and Fe/Mn = 50.7±4.5 (N = 19). Plagioclase composition: An_96.0±1.9Or_0.4±0.3 (range An_89.0-98.1Or_0.1-1.0) (N = 24). Bulk concentrations (pXRF, N = 3): FeO = 7.92±0.34 wt%, MnO 0.11±0.01 wt%, Cr = 1330±80 ppm, Ni = 156±47 ppm; FeO/MnO = 72.

Classification: Based on petrography and mineral compositions this is a lunar feldspathic breccia. Strongly shocked, medium weathering.

Specimens: 15.6 g and one polished thin section at NMBE. Main mass: MHTO.