The Bulk Composition of the Eucrite Parent Asteroid and its Bearing on Planetary Evolution

Abstract

Abstract It is shown that howardites fit extraordinary well into a binary mixing diagram for both their major and trace element compositions. Eucrites and diogenites would be suitable endmembers. In the mixing diagram computed from the elemental compositions of howardites, we find at a certain position a composition with very special features. This composition designated PR* contains all refractory incompatible elements in almost C 1, i.e. primitive, abundances. If 43% olivine is added to PR* in order to match the C 1 value for the Mg/Si ratio, a composition is obtained which has almost exact C 1 abundance values for all lithophile elements of non-volatile character. Because of its probable genetic relation we have used an olivine composition equal to that of pallasites. An eucrite parent body (EPB) with eucrites, diogenites and pallasites as the major building blocks has been previously suggested by various authors. The bulk composition of the EPB, resulting from our computations is found to be almost chondritic, but with a considerable depletion of volatile and moderately volatile elements. A comparison of the bulk composition of the EPB with that of Earth and Moon reveals a number of remarkable differences. Thus, the similarity of the composition of the silicate phases of Earth and Moon becomes even more remarkable and must be taken as strong indication for the genetic relationship of Earth and Moon.