NWA 856 Mars Meteorite Djel Ibone Shergottite

NAME: NWA 856 / NWA856 Djel Ibone TYPE: Martian Meteorite, SNC (basaltic shergottite) A single stone of 320 g was found in Morocco in March 2001. The exact location of find is unknown and the meteorite was referred to under the pseudonym "Djel Ibone". The meteorite has a fine-grained basaltic texture consisting mainly of pyroxene (70 vol%) and maskelynite (23 vol%). Accessory minerals include merrillite, apatite, pyrrhotite, chromite, Fe-Ti oxides, silica (stishovite) and baddeleyite. Melt pockets with phenocrysts and submicron-sized needles of stishovite are present. Pyroxenes are highly fractured. Calcite veins formed by terrestrial weathering cross-cut the specimens. Classification and mineralogy (A. Jambon, UPVI, V. Sautter, MNHNP, Ph. Gillet, ENSL)