Dhofar 1180 Lunar Meteorite

 
 

 

  • Dhofar 1180, Oman
  • Found January 18, 2005
  • Lunar meteorite - (basalt-bearing feldspathic regolith breccia)

A 115.2 g stone in the shape of a thin-bladed talon, was found by Michael Farmer in the Dhofar region of Oman. Description and classification (T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU):  feldspathic fragmental breccia that contains a variety of lithologies set in a well-indurated, comminuted matrix of similar materials; 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. Anorthositic plagioclase, An94.5-98, FeO = 0.28–0.78 wt %. Olivine (FeO/MnO = 82-110): ferroan anorthosite, Fa38; norite, Fa18; olivine gabbro, Fa36.8. Orthopyroxenes (FeO/MnO = 50–73): ferroan anorthosite, Fs38.6Wo2.1; olivine gabbro, Fs33.4Wo4.3; ophitic basalt core, Fs40Wo11.8, rim, Fs69.1Wo15.8. Very light weathering. Specimens: type specimen, 20.6 g, NAU; main mass. Farmer.

A second trip to the find area yeilded several small additional specimens weighing 3.1, 2.04, .78 and .474 grams.

 

 

Click on images to enlarge:

dho11801140a.JPG (107265 bytes)  dho11801140b.jpg (158398 bytes)  dho11801140c.JPG (103364 bytes)

The complete slice above weighs 1.14 grams and is polished on both sides as shown.  It measures 27.0 mm by 23.5 mm by .8 mm thick.  This specimen also comes packaged in removable display box.  - $2000-

 

 

dho1180143a.JPG (117465 bytes)  dho1180143b.JPG (117153 bytes)  dho1180143c.JPG (91954 bytes)

The complete slice above weighs 1.43 grams and is polished on both sides as shown.  It measures 33.2 mm by 20.9 mm by .8 mm thick.  This specimen also comes packaged in removable display box.  - $2500-

 

 

Each specimen comes with a Photographic Certificate of Authenticity and ID card.

http://www.catchafallingstar.com/images/ebay/dho1180cert.jpg (78359 bytes)   Sample of Certificate of Authenticity.

 

http://www.catchafallingstar.com/images/ebay/dho1180card.jpg (65299 bytes)   Sample of ID card.

 

 

dho1180massa.jpg (105824 bytes)  dho1180mass.jpg (63946 bytes)

First photo shows main mass sitting in the desert as found.  Second photo is mass after cutting in half.

 

dho1180thinsect.jpg (138693 bytes)

Thin Section Photo.

 

 

 

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