Chassigny is one of the most historically important Martian meteorites and the type specimen of the chassignite group. It fell in 1815 near the village of Chassigny, France, and represents one of the earliest recorded meteorite falls later identified as originating from Mars.
Chassigny is mineralogically distinctive, being dominated by olivine-rich ultramafic material, with subordinate pyroxene and accessory phases. Its composition indicates crystallization from deep-seated Martian magma, providing direct evidence of materials derived from the Martian mantle rather than surface volcanic flows.
As the reference specimen for chassignites, Chassigny plays a fundamental role in the classification and interpretation of Martian meteorites. Its mineralogy, textures, and geochemical signatures have been central to understanding mantle processes and planetary differentiation on Mars.
