description Tatahouine Overview
Tatahouine is a diogenite meteorite that fell near Tataouine in southern Tunisia on 27 June 1931. It consists mainly of orthopyroxene and represents deep crustal material from a differentiated asteroid; diogenites form part of the HED meteorite clan generally associated with Vesta. The fall produced numerous angular, greenish fragments, and its locality later became popularly associated with the similarly named planet Tatooine in Star Wars.
help Tatahouine FAQ
Where did the Tatahouine meteorite fall?
The Tatahouine meteorite fell near the town of Tataouine in southern Tunisia on June 27, 1931. The meteorite shattered into thousands of small, mostly fusion-crusted fragments upon hitting the desert floor.
What type of meteorite is Tatahouine?
Tatahouine is classified as a diogenite, a type of achondritic stony meteorite. It consists almost entirely of green orthopyroxene crystals and represents deep crustal material from a differentiated asteroid.
Which asteroid do scientists believe Tatahouine originated from?
Diogenites like Tatahouine form part of the HED meteorite clan, which planetary scientists generally associate with the asteroid Vesta. It represents the deep igneous crust of Vesta that was blasted into space by ancient impact events.
Is the Tatahouine meteorite connected to the Star Wars films?
Yes, George Lucas filmed scenes for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in the Tunisian town of Tataouine, and the desert planet Tatooine was named in its honor. However, the meteorite itself is strictly a geological specimen and has no fictional connection to the movies.
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