pallasiitit

Pallasiite is a rare iron-nickel meteorite that belongs to the group of ataxites, which are characterized by their low nickel content and lack of a Widmanstätten pattern. It was first discovered in 1802 in the Ural Mountains, Russia, and is named after the Russian mineralogist and geologist Peter Simon Pallas. Pallasiite is notable for its distinctive structure, which consists of a fine-grained matrix of kamacite and taenite, with larger inclusions of schreibersite and troilite.

Pallasiite is classified as an H-group meteorite, which means it is a member of the ordinary chondrite family. These meteorites are believed to have originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The H-group is further subdivided into H4, H5, and H6, with pallasiite being classified as an H4 meteorite. This classification is based on the meteorite's petrologic type, which is determined by the degree of metamorphism it has undergone.

Pallasiite is relatively rare, with only a few specimens having been found and studied. Its unique structure and composition make it a valuable object for scientific research, as it provides insights into the early solar system and the processes that shaped the asteroids from which it originated. Despite its rarity, pallasiite is an important meteorite type, and its study continues to contribute to our understanding of the solar system's formation and evolution.