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Mineralogical and chemical studies of Dar al Gani 983 show that this meteorite is a eucrite. Its texture is that of an impact breccia. It contains cumulate pyroxene and feldspar megacrysts, a variety of recrystallized melt clasts, clasts of subophitic basalt, and mesostasis. These components are embedded in a matrix of fragmental pyroxene and plagioclase. In addition, the entire rock is penetrated by glassy melt veins and patches, and displays features of strong shock. The mineralogical and chemical evidence obtained for DaG 983 indicates that this meteorite experienced a complex evolutionary history. The presence of cumulate silicate crystals implies substantial, large scale cratering events on the HED asteroid. As a result of these impacts, rocks from different intrusive bodies to extrusive surface layers were laterally and vertically transported to form a thoroughly mixed megaregolith. DaG 983 represents a sample of this megabreccia.

We report new petrographic and chemical data for the equilibrated EL chondrite Grein 002, including the occurrence of osbornite, metallic copper, abundant taenite, and abundant diopside. As inferred from low Si concentrations in kamacite, the presence of ferroan alabandite, textural deformation, chemical equilibration of mafic silicates, and a subsolar noble gas component, we concur with Grein 002s previous classification as an EL4–5 chondrite. Furthermore, the existence of pockets consisting of relatively coarse, euhedral enstatite crystals protruding large patches of Fe-Ni alloys suggests to us that this EL4–5 chondrite has been locally melted. We suspect impact induced shock to have triggered the formation of the melt pockets. Mineralogical evidence indicates that the localized melting of metal and adjacent enstatite must have happened relatively late in the meteorites history. The deformation of chondrules, equilibration of mafic silicates, and generation of normal zoning in Fe, Zn-sulfides took place during thermal alteration before the melting event. Following parent body metamorphism, daubreelite was exsolved from troilite in response to a period of slow cooling at subsolidus temperatures. Exsolution of schreibersite from the coarse metal patches probably occurred during a similar period of slow cooling subsequent to the event that induced the formation of the melt pockets. Overall shock features other than localized melting correspond to stage S2 and were likely established by the final impact that excavated the Grein 002 meteoroid.

We examined 15 bulk samples of the acapulcoite-lodranite clan for their major, minor, and trace element concentrations using INAA techniques. Among the analyzed meteorites are 2 new acapulcoites (Dhofar [Dho] 290, Thiel Mountains [TIL] 99002) as well as an additional acapulcoite that has been described previously only in very brief form (Graves Nunataks [GRA] 98028). The petrographic attributes of these 3 samples are addressed thoroughly. We also include petrographic information on 2 acapulcoites from Africa: Northwest Africa (NWA) 725 and NWA 1058. In general, our study strongly supports the widely accepted idea that acapulcoites and lodranites evolved through partial melting and melt migration of metal/sulfide phases and plagioclase. Furthermore, we concur with previous researchers that the original bimodal classification scheme for acapulcoites and lodranites proves to be too simple. Based on our data set, we introduce an alternative, extended scheme. With respect to their elemental distribution patterns, we distinguish 5 subtypes comprising primitive, typical, transitional, and enriched acapulcoites on one hand and lodranites on the other. The chemical distinction between the primitive, typical, and transitional acapulcoites is rather subtle and gradual. It stands in contrast to the clear modifications observed for the signatures of the enriched acapulcoites and the lodranites. The definition of subcategories basically reflects the concentrations of 2 key elements: K and Se. We note, however, that the assignment of subgroups may not be exclusively inferred from elemental abundances but should also consider additional petrographic information.

Dar al Gani 872 (DaG 872) is a new meteorite from Libya that we classified by means of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), electron microprobe, and optical microscopy. According to our results, DaG 872 is a Mg-rich main group eucrite, i.e., a monomict noncumulate basaltic eucrite displaying a predominant coarse-grained relict subophitic and a fine-grained granulitic texture. The meteorite also shows pockets of late-stage mesostasis and is penetrated by several calcite veins due to terrestrial weathering. Finally, it exhibits shock phenomena of stage 12 including heavily fractured mineral components, undulose extinction of plagioclase, kinked lamellae, and mosaicism in pyroxenes corresponding to peak pressures of ~20 GPa. In view of petrographic criteria as well as compositional and exsolution characteristics of its pyroxenes, the sample represents a metamorphic type 5 eucrite. Assuming the metamorphic type to be a function of burial depth on the parent body and taking into account the relatively high shock stage, the excavation of DaG 872 was likely induced by a major impact event. Prior to this point, DaG 872 apparently underwent a 4-stage geological evolution that is reflected by intricate textural and mineralogical features.

The Calcalong Creek lunar meteorite is a polymict breccia that contains clasts of both highlands and mare affinity. Reported here is a compilation of major, minor, and trace element data for bulk, clast, and matrix samples determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Petrographic information and results of electron microprobe analyses are included. The relationship of Calcalong Creek to lunar terranes, especially the Procellarum KREEP Terrane and Feldspathic Highlands Terrane, is established by the abundance of thorium, incompatible elements and their KREEP-like CI chondrite normalized pattern, FeO, and TiO2. The highlands component is associated with Apollo 15 KREEP basalt but represents a variant of the KREEP-derived material widely found on the moon. Sources of Calcalong Creek's mare basalt components may be related to low-titanium (LT) and very low-titanium (VLT) basalts seen in other lunar meteorites but do not sample the same source. The content of some components of Calcalong Creek are found to display similarities to the composition of the South Pole-Aitken Terrane. What appear to be VLT relationships could represent new high aluminum, low titanium basalt types.

We report noble gas, oxygen isotope, 14C and 10Be data of Itqiy as well as noble gas, 14C and 10Be results for Zaklodzie. Both samples have been recently classified as anomalous enstatite meteorites and have been compared in terms of their mineralogy and chemical composition. The composition of enstatite and kamacite and the occurrence of specific sulfide phases in Itqiy indicate it formed under similar reducing conditions to those postulated for enstatite chondrites. The new results now seem to point at a direct spatial link. The noble gas record of Itqiy exhibits the presence of a trapped subsolar component, which is diagnostic for petrologic types 4-6 among enstatite chondrites. The concentration of radiogenic 4He is very low in Itqiy and indicates a recent thermal event. Its 21Ne cosmic-ray exposure age is 30.1 ~ 3.0 Ma and matches the most common age range of enstatite chondrites (mostly EL6 chondrites) but not that of Zaklodzie. Itqiy's isotopic composition of oxygen is in good agreement with that observed in Zaklodzie as well as those found in enstatite meteorites suggesting an origin from a common oxygen pool. The noble gas results, on the other hand, give reason to believe that the origin and evolution of Itqiy and Zaklodzie are not directly connected. Itqiy's terrestrial age of 5800 ± 500 years sheds crucial light on the uncertain circumstances of its recovery and proves that Itqiy is not a modern fall, whereas the 14C results from Zaklodzie suggest it hit Earth only recently.

— Elemental composition and composition ratios derived from gamma-ray measurements collected by the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft while on the surface of 433 Eros are reported. Performance of the gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) during cruise and orbit is reviewed. The best gamma-ray data were collected on the surface of Eros after the spacecraft's controlled descent on 2001 February 12. Methods used in spectral analysis, to convert peak areas to incident photons, and photons to elemental composition are described in some detail. The elemental abundance of K and the Mg/Si, Fe/Si, Si/O and Fe/O abundance ratios were determined. The Mg/Si and Si/O ratios and the K abundance are roughly chondritic, but the Fe/Si and Fe/O ratios are low compared to expected chondritic values. Three possible explanations for the apparent Fe depletion are considered.

We report major element ratios determined for the S-class asteroid 433 Eros using remote- sensing x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with the near-Earth asteroid rendezvous Shoemaker x-ray spectrometer (XRS). Data analysis techniques and systematic errors are described in detail. Data acquired during five solar flares and during two extended "quiet Sun" periods are presented; these results sample a representative portion of the asteroid's surface. Although systematic uncertainties are potentially large, the most internally consistent and plausible interpretation of the data is that Eros has primitive Mg/Si, Al/Si, Ca/Si and Fe/Si ratios, closely similar to H or R chondrites. Global differentiation of the asteroid is ruled out. The S/Si ratio is much lower than that of chondrites, probably reflecting impact-induced volatilization and/or photo- or ion-induced sputtering of sulfur at the surface of the asteroid. An alternative explanation for the low S/Si ratio is that it reflects a limited degree of melting with loss of an FeS-rich partial melt. Size-sorting processes could lead to segregation of Fe-Ni metal from silicates within the regolith of Eros; this could indicate that the Fe/Si ratios determined by the x-ray spectrometer are not representative of the bulk Eros composition.

— The near-Earth asteroid rendezvous (NEAR) mission carried x-ray/gamma-ray spectrometers and multi-spectral imager/near-infrared spectrometer instrument packages which gave complementary information on the chemistry and mineralogy, respectively, of the target asteroid 433 Eros. Synthesis of these two data sets provides information not available from either alone, including the abundance of non-mafic silicates, metal and sulfide minerals. We have utilized four techniques to synthesize these data sets. Venn diagrams, which examine overlapping features in two data sets, suggest that the best match for 433 Eros is an ordinary chondrite, altered at the surface of the asteroid, or perhaps a primitive achondrite derived from material mineralogically similar to these chondrites. Normalized element distributions preclude FeO-rich pyroxenes and suggest that the x-ray and gamma-ray data can be reconciled with a common silicate mineralogy by inclusion of varying amounts of metal. Normative mineralogy cannot be applied to these data sets owing to uncertainties in oxygen abundance and lack of any constraints on the abundance of sodium. Matrix inversion for simultaneous solution of mineral abundances yields reasonable results for the x-ray-derived bulk composition, but seems to confirm the inconsistency between mineral compositions and orthopyroxene/clinopyroxene ratios. A unique solution does not seem possible in synthesizing these multiple data sets. Future missions including a lander to fully characterize regolith distribution and sample return would resolve the types of problems faced in synthesizing the NEAR data.

— The near-Earth asteroid rendezvous (NEAR)-Shoemaker remote-sensing x-ray/gamma-ray spectrometer (XGRS) completed more than a year of operation in orbit and on the surface of 433 Eros. Elemental compositions for a number of regions on the surface of Eros have been derived from analyses of the characteristic x-ray and gamma-ray emission spectra. The NEAR XGRS detection system was included as part of the interplanetary network (IPN) for the detection and localization of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Preliminary results for both the elemental composition of the surface of Eros and the detection of GRBs have been obtained. In addition to the science results, the design and operation of the NEAR XGRS is considered. Significant information important for the design of future remote sensing XGRS systems has been obtained and evaluated. We focus on four factors that became particularly critical during NEAR: (1) overall spacecraft design, (2) selection of materials, (3) increase of the signal-to-noise ratio and (4) knowledge of the incident solar x-ray spectrum.

— Itqiy is a unique coarse-grained, metal-rich enstatite meteorite that was found in the Western Sahara and consists of two rocks together weighing 4.72 kg, which are both completely coated with fusion crust. We report results from our electron microprobe and instrumental neutron activation analysis techniques. Itqiy consists of subhedral, equigranular, millimeter-sized enstatite, −25 vol% of millimeter-sized kamacite and a few tiny intergrowths of sulfides and kamacite. Relic chondrules are absent. Pyroxene (Fs0.2) is chemically similar to enstatite in EL chondrites, but the metal is closer in composition to that in EH chondrites. Sulfides resemble those in E chondrites but their compositions are distinct from those in both EL and EH chondrites. Itqiy clearly formed under very reducing conditions, but it does not appear to have formed from EH or EL chondrites. Two thermal events can be distinguished. Silicate compositions including rare earth element abundances indicate loss of partial melt and slow cooling. Heterogeneous sulfides indicate a subsequent reheating and quenching event, which may have been due to shock as many enstatite grains show shock stage S3 features.

— Wark-Lovering rims of six calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) representing the main CAI types and groups in Allende, Efremovka and Vigarano were microsurgically separated and analysed by neutron activation analysis (NAA). All the rims have similar ∼4x enrichments, relative to the interiors, of highly refractory lithophile and siderophile elements. The NAA results are confirmed by ion microprobe and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses of rim perovskites and rim metal grains. Less refractory Eu, Yb, V, Sr, Ca and Ni are less enriched in the rims. The refractory element patterns in the rims parallel the patterns in the outer parts of the CAIs. In particular, the rims on type B1 CAIs have the igneously fractionated rare earth element (REE) pattern of the melilite mantle below the rim and not the REE pattern of the bulk CAI, proving that the refractory elements in the rims were derived from the outer mantle and were not condensates onto the CAIs. The refractory elements were enriched in an Al2O3-rich residue

— Eagles Nest and Lewis Cliff (LEW) 88763 are olivine-rich achondrites that have been suggested to be related to Brachina and ALH 84025. Both are ultramafic, although LEW 88763 has ∼10% plagioclase, which Eagles Nest lacks. Olivine in Eagles Nest (Fo68) is virtually identical in composition to that in Brachina (Fo68–70), and that in LEW 88763 is only slightly different (Fo63–64). The meteorites' cosmic-ray exposure ages differ from each other and from Brachina and ALH 84025. Like Brachina, Eagles Nest has a substantial amount of radiogenic 129Xe and an apparent K-Ar age of