Aloha,
I received preliminary analysis results from Drs Jeff Taylor and Gary
Huss of the University of Hawaii HIGP, of a submitted NWA achondrite
that I suspected could be a lodranite. Dr Taylor used the institute's
uRaman spectrometer to obtain spectra of the iridescent mineral, and
much to everyone's surprise, it turns out to be Augite, not
orthopyroxene, and certainly not plagioclase. Taylor states the main
phase appears to be olivine, which would make the specimen more likely
to be a brachinite. The next step is analysis in a low-pressure SEM
next week, to check phase compositions, verification of high Ca
content in the augite, and Fe/Mg in the phases.
Sample spectral data can be seen here: http://astroday.net/meteorites.html
Gary Fujihara
AstroDay Institute
105 Puhili Place, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 640-9161, [email protected]
http://astroday.net
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