A class of calcium-rich achondrite meteorite; also known as pigeonite–plagioclase achondrites. Two subclasses are recognized: the non-cumulate eucrites, and the less-common cumulate eucrites. In their mineralogy, texture, and composition they closely resemble terrestrial and lunar basalts. The non-cumulate eucrites are essentially basalts that originated as surface lava flows, while the cumulate eucrites (and closely related diogenites) are intrusive rocks formed at shallow depth. The eucrites are members of the HED (howardite, eucrite, and diogenite) group of meteorites, whose parent body is thought to be the asteroid Vesta. Their name comes from the Greek eukritos, meaning ‘easily discerned’. See also Basaltic Achondrite.