Lodranite

Rare type of primitive achondrite named after the Lodran meteorite that fell in Pakistan in 1868. Initially, lodranites were grouped with the stony-iron meteorites because they contain silicates (olivine, orthopyroxene,
and minor plagioclase) and Fe-Ni metal in nearly equal proportions. However, since discovery of the closely related acapulcoite group, lodranites have been classified as primitive achondrites. Both groups have similar mineralogical and oxygen isotopic compositions, and probably come from the same parent body – most likely an unidentified S-class asteroid. Lodranites have coarser-grained olivines and pyroxenes and experienced higher temperatures than acapulcoites, suggesting that they originated within the deeper layers of the acapulcoite/lodranite parent body where they were subjected to a more intense and prolonged thermal processing.


Some or all content above used with permission from J. H. Wittke.


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