Diogenite Meteorites Asteroid 4 Vesta Specimen NMW 7831 Western Sahara Display

Location: Western Sahara

Weight: 0.4 Ounces (Display)

Dimensions: 2.3 Inches Long, 1.5 Inches Wide, 0.6 Inches Thick (Display)

Comes with a Free Display Case.

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Diogenite is a type of meteorite classified within the group of achondrites, which are stony meteorites that have undergone differentiation and crystallization processes similar to those that occur in planetary bodies. Specifically, diogenites are believed to originate from the asteroid 4 Vesta, one of the largest bodies in the asteroid belt. This classification is part of a broader understanding of meteorites and their origins, which provides insights into the early solar system's formation and evolution.

Diogenites are primarily composed of orthopyroxene, a mineral that is rich in iron and magnesium. The presence of this mineral gives diogenites their characteristic dark color and dense structure. In addition to orthopyroxene, diogenites may contain other minerals such as olivine, plagioclase, and various metallic phases. The specific mineralogical composition can vary among individual specimens, reflecting different cooling histories or parent body processes.

Experience the crystalline architecture of planetary evolution with this stunning diogenite from Vesta. The specimen's distinctive coarse-grained texture tells a story of leisurely cooling deep within an ancient magma chamber, where heavy orthopyroxene minerals settled and accumulated over millennia. This cumulative structure reveals the precise conditions that governed Vesta's internal differentiation and cooling history. Catastrophic asteroid impacts eventually liberated these treasures from their subterranean home, launching them across the solar system until gravity brought them to Earth. By acquiring this meteorite, you hold tangible evidence of Vesta's violent geological past and the slow, methodical processes that shaped planetary interiors. Each crystal within this specimen represents millions of years of cosmic history, making it an invaluable addition to any serious collection.

This exceptional diogenite specimen from asteroid 4 Vesta grants you direct access to planetary formation science. These mantle-derived rocks document how celestial bodies stratify through density-based differentiation, preserving evidence of the early solar system's violent genesis. Within the HED meteorite framework, diogenites occupy a unique position—distinct from howardites' mixed compositions and eucrites' basaltic character through their deep-origin mineralogy. Researchers prize these specimens for reconstructing Vesta's internal structure and thermal history, while collectors value them as tangible connections to cosmic processes. By acquiring this meteorite, you possess a scientific artifact that illuminates how rocky planets evolved and organized themselves billions of years ago, offering context for understanding planetary bodies throughout our solar system.