Diogenite

Diogenites are a group of the HED meteorite clan, a type of achondritic stony meteorites.

Diogenite
— Group —
The Johnstown Diogenite.
Type	Achondrite
Structural classification	Igneous rocks of plutonic origin
Class	Asteroidal achondrite
Clan	HED
Parent body	4 Vesta
Composition	Primarily magnesium-rich orthopyroxene, a little plagioclase & olivine
Total known specimens	~40
Tatahouine, diogenite

Origin and composition

Diogenites are currently believed to originate from deep within the crust of the asteroid 4 Vesta, and as such are part of the HED meteorite clan. There are about 40 distinct members known.

Diogenites are composed of igneous rocks of plutonic origin, having solidified slowly enough deep within Vesta's crust to form crystals which are larger than in the eucrites. These crystals are primarily magnesium-rich orthopyroxene, with small amounts of plagioclase and olivine.^[1]

Name

Diogenites are named for Diogenes of Apollonia, an ancient Greek philosopher who was the first to suggest an outer space origin for meteorites.^[2]

See also

• Glossary of meteoritics
• Vesta family