Lunar Meteorite: Dhofar 1180

Dhofar 1180 in the field on Oman.  It is unusual to have a stony meteorite with such a high aspect ratio. Perhaps it is a broken fragment from a larger stone. Photo credit: Mike Farmer
Two views of Dhofar 1180, Photo credit: Mike Farmer
A sawn slice of Dhofar 1180. Photo credit: Randy Korotev
Another sawn slice of Dhofar 1180. Photo credit: Randy Korotev
Transmitted light photomicrograph of a thin section from Dhofar 1180. Photo credit: Ted Bunch and Tony Irving

from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 91

Dhofar 1180

Dhofar, Oman
Find: 2005 January
Mass: 115.2 g (1 piece)

Achondrite (lunar)

History: M. Farmer recovered a specimen in the Dhofar region of Oman.

Physical characteristics: The 115.2 g meteorite has an odd external shape akin to a thick-bladed talon.

Petrography: (T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU) The sample is a feldspathic fragmental breccia that contains a variety of lithologies set in matrix of similar materials with a 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.

Mineral compositions and geochemistry: Anorthositic plagioclase (An94.5–98; FeO = 0.28–0.78 wt%); olivines (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) and rim (Fs69.1Wo15.8).

Classification: Achondrite (lunar, feldspathic fragmental breccia). Minimal weathering.

Type specimen: A 20.6 g sample is on deposit at NAU. Farmer and Strope hold the main mass.

Randy Says…

Compositionally, Dhofar 1180 is unique and one of the most mafic among nominally feldspathic lunar meteorites.

More Information

Meteoritical Bulletin Database

Dhofar 1180

Map

Schematic Map of the Find Locations of the Dhofar Lunar Meteorites

References

Bunch T. E., Wittke J. H., and Korotev R. L. (2006) Petrology and composition of lunar feldspathic breccias NWA 2995, Dhofar 1180 and Dhofar 1428. 69th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, abstract no. 5254.

Korotev R. L. (2011) Lunar meteorites from Antarctica and Oman. 74th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, abstract no. 5073.

Korotev R. L. (2012) Lunar meteorites from Oman. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 47, 1365-1402.

Korotev R. L. (2017) Update (2012–2017) on lunar meteorites from Oman. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 52, 1251-1256.

All Korotev data on Omani lunar meteorites.

Korotev R. L. and Zeigler R. A. (2007) Keeping up with the lunar meteorites. Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII, abstract no. 1340.

Korotev R. L., Irving A. J., and Bunch T. E. (2008) Keeping up with the lunar meteorites – 2008. Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX, abstract no. 1209, 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

Korotev R. L, Zeigler R. A., Jolliff B. L., Irving A. J., and Bunch T. E. (2009) Compositional and lithological diversity among brecciated lunar meteorites of intermediate iron composition. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 44, 1287-1322.

Robinson K. L., Treiman A. H., and Joy J. H. (2012) Basaltic fragments in lunar feldspathic meteorites: Connecting sample analyses to orbital remote sensing. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 43, 387-399.

Zhang A. and Hsu W. (2006) Petrographic and mineralogical studies of the lunar meteorite Dhofar 1180. 69th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, abstract no. 5170.

Zhang A. and Hsu W. (2007) A KREEP clast in the lunar meteorite Dhofar 1180. Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII, abstract no. 1108.

Zhang A. and Hsu W. (2009) Petrography, mineralogy, and trace element geochemistry of lunar meteorite Dhofar 1180. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 44, 1265-1286.

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