Tatahouine Diogenite Stony Meteorite Achondrites Specimen Fell June 24, 1931 Display

Location: Tunisia

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. 

Tatahouine 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.

This distinguished Tatahouine diogenite specimen embodies nearly a century of scientific significance since its fall in June 1931. The meteorite's composition centers on orthopyroxene, an iron and magnesium-bearing silicate that imparts its characteristic dark hue and substantial density, frequently accompanied by olivine, plagioclase feldspar, and metallic constituents. Individual specimens exhibit variable mineralogy reflecting distinct thermal histories and parent body conditions. The notably coarse-grained texture—a consequence of leisurely crystallization—contrasts sharply with more rapidly-cooled meteorite types, while cumulate textures in certain examples document the settling of crystals within ancient molten reservoirs. These achondrites originated within Vesta's differentiated magmatic system; as the asteroid body cooled, orthopyroxene and other dense minerals preferentially crystallized and accumulated in deep magmatic chambers. Subsequent collisional events excavated and dispersed these materials into heliocentric orbits, ultimately delivering this specimen to Earth's surface. An intellectually compelling acquisition for the serious collector.

This zatahouine diogenite specimen serves as an invaluable research tool for understanding planetary differentiation—the fundamental process by which celestial bodies stratify according to density. The meteorite belongs to the HED (Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite) classification system, a taxonomic framework encompassing three related achondrite types originating from asteroid Vesta. While howardites represent composite mixtures of eucrite and diogenite materials, and eucrites constitute basaltic rocks with distinct mineralogical signatures, diogenites occupy a unique position within this triad. Analysis of diogenite specimens illuminates the physical and chemical conditions that prevailed during the early solar system's formation, offering critical insights into magmatic processes and crustal evolution on differentiated planetary bodies. The HED classification system enables researchers to reconstruct the geological narratives of these extraterrestrial materials and establish comparative frameworks for understanding analogous bodies throughout the solar system. An intellectually enriching specimen for advanced collectors and scientific enthusiasts alike.