Dimensions: 26.2 x 14.1 x 13.0 mm max.
Name: Camel Donga
Class: AEUC-M, br, Achondrite, Ca-rich, monomict eucrite, breccicated .......................

Location: Nullabor Plain ................ .

Country: WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Date: Find: January 1984
TKW: 25 kg approx.

The first 503 g specimen was discovered by Mrs. J.C. Campbell in January 1984 whilst driving cross-country.

Camel Donga 's strewn fieldmeasures approx. 8 x 2.5 km.

The Camel Donga AEUC-M meteorite is a product of fractional crystallization within a magma source, and contains an unusual high amount of metallic iron of 2 %. This calcium-rich meteorite has produced a highly blackish and shiny fusion crust with radial flow lines and melt overflow lipping. It's pristine condition is evidence that the meteorite must have fallen only recently. The main component of this meteorite is a basalt which was rapidly cooled by extrusion to the surface of its parent body, assumed to be the Asteroid Vesta.

Vesta has an average diameter of 506 km with a thin outer basaltic crust. The huge impact, indicated by the 460 km wide and 30-40 km deep crater on Vesta's south pole, which is believed to have occurred about 4.48 billion years ago, would have sent this material on it's way to us. Recent research has shown that there are about 240 small asteroids (Vestoids), composed of eucritic and diogenitic material. The general composition of eucrites is roughly equal amounts of anorthite and pigeonite, and is the mineral forming the bulk of our Earth's upper mantle. The eucrite crystallization age is approx. 4.3 billion years.

Is this really something special? You bet! A Piece of VESTA, not to be missed in any Aussie Collection!