Raman Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction Investigations of Phase Composition of Tiglit Meteorite

Tiglit is an aubrite meteorite which fell in 2021 in Morocco. Fragments of the Tiglit meteorite, recovered shortly after its fall, were analyzed for phase and chemical composition using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. These studies confirmed the presence of pyroxene (enstatite), olivine, plagioclase, sulfides, carbon phases (seldom reported in aubrites), and iron oxides. Unexpectedly, calcite and polymorphic SiO₂ phases were also detected. The formation of calcite is related to the terrestrial alteration of oldhamite-a sulfide present in aubrites-after the fall.