Becase diogenites were once named Chladnite this name appears in much of the old literature. Therefore I would argue that to reuse his name would lead to some minor confusion between the two.
If you want an old death historical figure naming this Olbersite after Wilhem Olbers, the discover of Vesta and other early asteroids, would be sensible choice. Also ironic tribute as it was because of Olbers that the outer planets are name after the gods and not named after their discoverers. Olber had gave his friend Gauss the priviledge to name this asteroid when other astronomers were selfishly fighting over the names on what are now known as Uranus and Neptune. Such virtue made for poetic nomenclature. And this will link his name to his discovery.Good for teaching science.
However, I wish to propose a modern name for this new meteorite. For his contribution to the public education on meteorites and life time work in the field of meteorics, let's call this Nortonite. (For O. Richard Norton and his wife Dorothy.) I can't think of no one else who would feel more humbled, nor would give our community greater pleasure than to honored these gentlepersons.
While other's may have been first to asking the question, "Where are the olivine diogenites", no one has ask this question louder or explain the significance more clearly as he has in his two books. "Rocks in Space" and "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites" How many of us would even care about HED hadn't been for these two popular works.
Howard Wu
Adam Hupe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Dear List Members,
It is our pleasure to announce NWA 1877, (provisional) the second so-called
"Olivine Diogenite" in private hands. This makes number five including the
three Antarctic finds. The significance of it being number five is that it
now qualifies to be promoted to main group status if approved by the
Nomenclature Committee. Scientists who are working on it agree that this
ultra-rare class is suited in every way for a new full-blown group and are
willing to propose this new group. Since O-Isotopes place this from the
same parent body as the HED group, naming this new group would be a
history-making event. A main group has never been added to the HED
assemblage, only subgroups.
This is not paired with NWA 1459, which was found in Iriqui and only weighed
49 grams. Weighing in at 312 grams, NWA 1877, (provisional) is the most
olivine-rich yet found with ~50% of this mineral. The scientists who are
working on it suggested coming up with a new name for this group since
Diogenite, by definition, does not accurately describe this type of
meteorite. The name "Olivine Diogenite" was coined by scientists working on
the Antarctic finds for lack of a better term at the time. If these five
were from Earth they would be called "Harzburgitic Peridotites" but you
cannot use terrestrial terms to name meteorite types. This is where the
List may be able to help. Scientists suggested that the meteoritic
community, meaning the List, come up with a name for this group.
We do not know what to call this proposed new group since none of them are
from witnessed falls. It was suggested that it be named in honor of some
famous pioneer in the field of meteoritics or some closely related
discipline. We are open to suggestions and know that List members can be
very creative. Who knows? you may be able to become a part of history by
coming up with a suitable name.
In case you have not guessed this will be the weekly rare material
announcement but with some added flare because it is something anyone could
get involved in if they wished. If you come up with a suitable name we
will send you a 1-gram plus specimen free of charge.
Wishing everybody the very best,
Adam and Greg Hupe
The Hupe Collection
IMCA 2185
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