Chassignite

Chassignite is a type of meteorite that is classified as a type of carbonaceous chondrite. It is a stony-iron meteorite that is composed primarily of silicate minerals, with a small amount of metal, typically iron or iron-nickel. Chassignite meteorites are rare and are thought to be fragments of asteroid 18 Chassigny, which is a stony-iron asteroid.

Chassignite meteorites are distinguished by their unique texture, which is characterized by irregular shapes and pores. They are also rich in carbonaceous materials, such as organic compounds and water. This is unusual for meteorites, which are typically thought to have formed in a dry, hot environment.

The composition of chassignite meteorites is complex and includes a variety of minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. They also contain a range of metals, including iron, nickel, and troilite, a form of iron sulfide. The metal content of chassignite meteorites is typically relatively low, but they do contain some distinguishing minerals, such as cohenite, a rare iron phosphide mineral.

Chassignite meteorites are thought to have formed in the early solar system, likely through the differentiation of a large asteroid or planetesimal. They may have originated in the inner asteroid belt, where they would have undergone significant heating and deformation. The study of chassignite meteorites has provided important insights into the formation and evolution of the early solar system, and is a topic of ongoing research in planetary science.