[meteorite-list] uRaman data on submitted NWA achondrite

[Gary Fujihara]

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, fujmon at mac.com
http://astroday.net