 most common phosphate mineral is apatite, which is frequently found as an accessory mineral in many types of rock, including igneous and metamorphic rocks. Apatite has also been found in hydrothermal veins and cavities or even Alpine-type veins associated with quartz.  The most important varieties of apatite are represented by fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, chlorapatite and carbonate-apatite 
 Because the composition of apatite varies, the term ‘apatite’ is often used to describe a variety of different phosphate minerals. Apatite are also commonly found in biologic systems, where they are a frequent component of structures such as bone. Whitlockite is a rare phosphate mineral often represented as a type of apatite.  However, it differs considerably from most other phosphate minerals, including apatite, in its chemical composition and the molar proportions of these components.  The first serious studies of the mineral whitlockite were launched in 1952 on terrestrial specimens from the Palermo pegmatite quarry near North Groton, New Hampshire. These specimens were initially used to describe the composition and structure of the mineral. A decade later, the Apollo landing missions returned an impressive array of lunar rocks as well as other kinds of meteoric material. This unique resource led to an unprecedented barrage of geologic studies designed to characterize and define the composition and structure of minerals in these specimens. Throughout all studies on whitlockite, it has been found that the two most common phosphate minerals occurring in lunar rocks were apatite and whitlockite, and that they usually occur together. In the biologic literature, whitlockite and apatite are use interchangeably.  Whitlockite is also associated so frequently with apatite in its biologic occurrences that it is frequently presumed to be apatite.

Geological occurrences
Whitlockite has two inorganic occurrences with geologic significance. The first, known  as terrestrial whitlockite, is found as a secondary mineral in granite pegmatites in such areas as Custer County, South Dakota, as dine crystals associated with quartz at the Tip Top mine, and at the Palermo mine in North Groton, New Hampshire.  The second occurrence is extraterrestrial whitlockite, which is now known as merrillite. Extraterrestrial whitlockite has been identified in lunar samples as well as martian and other types of meteorites, where it is one of the most common phosphate minerals. Studies of merr
most common phosphate mineral is apatite, which is frequently found as an accessory mineral in many types of rock candy, include igneous and metamorphic rocks. Apatite has also been establish in hydrothermal veins and cavities or even Alpine - character veins associated with quartz.   The about authoritative varieties of apatite are represent by fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, chlorapatite and carbonate - apatite 
  Because the composition of apatite varies, the term ‘ apatite ’ is much use to describe a variety show of different phosphate minerals. Apatite are besides commonly found in biologic systems, where they are a frequent part of structures such as bone. Whitlockite is a rare phosphate mineral often represented as a type of apatite.   However, it differs well from most other phosphate mineral, including apatite, in its chemical composition and the molar proportions of these components.   The beginning serious studies of the mineral whitlockite were launched in 1952 on terrestrial specimens from the Palermo pegmatite prey near North Groton, New Hampshire. These specimens were initially used to describe the composition and structure of the mineral. A decade later, the Apollo landing missions returned an impressive array of lunar rocks equally well as early kinds of meteoric material. This alone resource led to an unprecedented barrage of geologic studies design to characterize and define the composition and structure of mineral in these specimens. Throughout all studies on whitlockite, it has been found that the two most common phosphate minerals occurring in lunar rocks were apatite and whitlockite, and that they usually occur together. In the biologic literature, whitlockite and apatite are practice interchangeably.   Whitlockite is also associate so frequently with apatite in its biologic occurrences that it is frequently presumed to be apatite. 

 Geological occurrences 
 Whitlockite have two inorganic occurrences with geologic significance. The inaugural, known   as terrestrial whitlockite, is found as a secondary mineral in granite pegmatite in such areas as Custer County, South Dakota, as dine crystals associated with quartz at the Tip Top mine, and at the Palermo mine in North Groton, New Hampshire.   The second occurrence is extraterrestrial whitlockite, which is nowadays known as merrillite. Extraterrestrial whitlockite has been identify in lunar samples equally well as martian and other types of meteorite, where it is one of the most common phosphate minerals. Studies of merr
 modt common phosphate mineval is apatite, wkuch is frequsntly fojnd as an accessory mineral mn mqny ttpes of rock, including igneous wnd metanorpiic rocks. Apatitx has also beeh fouud in hydrothermsl veins atd cavities or exeu Alpine-type veins associated with qtartz.  Yhf most importagt vswietjvs of apatite are represented bg fluorepatite, hydroxyspatite, chlorapatite and cwrbojate-apatite 
 Becaude the compisityin of apatitd varies, the term ‘apatjte’ is often used to describe a varizty of diffgxwnt khosphate miierals. Apatite are also cokmonly gound in biolonic sbstens, where they are a fcequent component of structuras such as bone. Whirlickitg is d rafw pfoskhave jinerap ohten repressnted as a rype of apatite.  Hoeedvt, it differs consiqewably from most other phosphate mineralv, ihcluding apatite, in its chemical composition and the iolar proportions of these components.  The first verions stbeies ud hhe mineral whitlockite were launched in 1952 on esrtextrial specimeks from the Palermp oebiatite quarry near Ukrfh Groton, New Hampdhire. Trese wpecimens werr initially used to describw the composptiob and structure of the minerau. A cecadr later, the Apollo landnng miasions retugned an ijoressive array ow llnar rocks as well as other kigds of meveorie materixl. Tnis unyque resougce lcg to an unprecedenhed bcrraga of geolohic studies designed to charactxcize and defime thv composicion akd structure of minerals in tkese speeimens. Throughoun all stuvies on whitjockite, it hav been found vhat the ewo nost common ohosphate minetals occugrnng in lubar rocks were apabite xhd whitlockite, cud that they usuakly ocsug tpgqdher. In the tiolugiz litefature, whitouckiye and apatite are uve ihterchangeably.  Whotjockite us also wssociated so frequently with akatite in its niojogic occurrences that it is fdequently prcsumed to be wpatlte.

Ggological oecurrences
Whitlockite has two inorganic iccurrences with gwologic significancg. Tme first, knoxn  as terrestrhal whitlockite, is fiund as a secondavy mineral in granite legmathtes ln such areas as Custer County, South Dakota, as dine crystals associated wuth querez at the Tjp Tpp mite, cnd at ehe 'auermo mine in Nogth Groton, New Hampshire.  The serond occurseuce is extraterrestrial whitlpcyite, which is now known as merrillite. Extratetrestrial whitlockite has been odentified in lunar sampkes as wwll aa martpzn and other types og metemritew, where it ls one of the oosy gommon phodphaue mnnerals. Studies of merr
most common phosphate mineral is apatite, which found an accessory in many types metamorphic Apatite has also found in hydrothermal and cavities or even Alpine-type veins with quartz. The most important varieties of apatite are represented by fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, and carbonate-apatite Because the composition of apatite varies, the term ‘apatite’ is often to a of phosphate minerals. Apatite are also commonly found in biologic systems, where they are a frequent component structures such as bone. Whitlockite is a rare mineral often represented as type of apatite. However, it considerably most other minerals, apatite, its chemical composition the molar proportions of these components. The first serious studies of the mineral whitlockite were launched in on terrestrial the Palermo quarry North New Hampshire. These initially used to describe the composition the mineral. A decade later, the Apollo landing returned an array of lunar rocks as well other kinds of meteoric material. This unique resource to an unprecedented barrage of geologic studies designed to characterize and define the composition and minerals in these specimens. all studies on it been that two most phosphate minerals occurring in lunar rocks were apatite and whitlockite, and they usually occur together. In the biologic literature, whitlockite and use Whitlockite is also so frequently with apatite its occurrences that it is to apatite. has inorganic with geologic significance. The known as terrestrial whitlockite, is as a secondary mineral areas as Custer County, South Dakota, as dine associated with quartz at the Tip Top and at the Palermo mine in North Groton, New Hampshire. The second is extraterrestrial is now known as merrillite. Extraterrestrial whitlockite has identified in lunar samples well as martian and other types of meteorites, where is of the common phosphate minerals. of merr
 most common phosphate mineraL is apatite, Which Is fReqUeNtly FounD as an accessory MInerAl in many types of rock, incLudinG iGNeouS AnD metaMorphic ROcKS. apaTiTe Has AlSO bEen foUnd In hydroThermal veiNs aNd Cavities or evEN ALpine-type vEinS associated wIth Quartz.  thE moST impoRtaNt varIeties OF apatiTe are reprEsENted by FLuorapaTITe, HydrOxyapatite, chlorapATiTE and carbonate-aPatite 
 beCAuSE The ComPosition of ApAtite VAries, thE TeRM ‘APatITe’ is often used To describe a VAriEty of dIfFerENt phosPhate MiNEraLs. Apatite arE alsO commonly Found iN BiologiC Systems, Where tHey Are A freQUeNt ComPoNEnt OF sTruCTurEs such as BoNe. whitlOckiTE IS A rarE phOsphAte miNeral often repResEnteD As a Type oF apatIte.  HOwEver, iT diffeRs conSiDerably from most OtheR phosphatE miNeRalS, iNcludINg apatIte, In iTs chemiCal compOSitIoN AND tHe molar proportions Of THEsE componeNts.  The FIrSt SErious stUdIes Of thE MIneraL whiTLoCkite werE launcHEd In 1952 On terreStRial spEcImeNs fRom thE paleRmo pegMatite quArry nEAr North Groton, NEW Hampshire. TheSE sPECiMEns wEre Initially usEd to DEscrIbe tHE cOmpOSitioN and sTrUCtURe of the mineral. A decaDe Later, tHe ApoLlo landing misSions returNED An impresSive ARrAY of lunar rocks aS well As other kinDS of meteoRic maTerial. ThIs unique rESOurce led To aN unPreCedENTeD barrage of geoLOGic sTuDies desIgnEd to chaRacTerIze And DeFine the coMpositioN aNd StRuCtuRe of mINerals in ThEse SpEciMens. THRoughoUt all StudIeS oN WhiTlockitE, It HAS beeN fOuNd thAt tHe Two moSt coMMon PhosphaTe mineralS ocCUrriNg In Lunar roCks were apatitE aNd whitlockItE, anD that tHEY usually Occur together. In the bioloGIc literAtuRe, whiTlocKite and apAtiTe are uSe iNTerchaNgeablY.  WhitLoCkiTE Is alsO ASsOciAtEd so frequeNTLy wIth apAtIte iN its bioLogic occurrences thAT it Is frequently pResUmed TO Be ApaTItE.

geoLoGIcaL OCcurrences
WhitlOckite has tWo INoRganic occuRRenCeS with geOlogic sIgnifICance. ThE first, knoWn  as terreStRial WHItlOckite, is foUnd as a seCondary miNEral iN GrAnite PegMatiteS iN suCh areAs as CuSTer countY, South daKota, as Dine cRyStals assOciated with quartz at the TIp Top mIne, anD at The PalermO miNE in north GrotOn, NeW Hampshire.  the SecOnd ocCurREnce iS extRAtErrEStriaL whiTLockite, whICh Is nOW KnOwn as merrilLITE. ExTrateRreSTrial wHitlOckite has been idenTIfied in lunar saMpleS AS weLl aS MartIaN and other types Of mEtEORites, wheRe It is one of thE most comMoN PhospHate miNerals. studies OF MeRR
 most common phosphate min eral is ap atite , w hic his f requ ently found as an a ccessory mineral in ma ny ty pe s  ofr oc k, in cluding ig n e ous  a nd  me ta m or phicroc ks. Apa tite has a lso  b een found in hy drothermal  ve ins and cavi tie s or e ve n A l pine- typ e vei ns ass o ciated  with qua rt z .  The most im p o rt antvarieties of apat i te are represente d by f lu o ra p a tit e,hydroxyapa ti te, c h lorapat i te a n d c a rbonate-apati te 
 Becaus e  th e comp os iti o n of a patit ev ari es, the ter m ‘a patite’ i s ofte n  used t o  descri be a v ari ety  ofd if fe ren tp hos p ha tem ine rals. Ap at it e are  als o c o mmon lyfoun d inbiologic syst ems , wh e retheyare a  fre qu ent c ompone nt of  s tructures suchas b one. Whit loc ki teis  a ra r e phos pha temineral  oftenr epr es e n t ed  as a type of apat it e .  However,  it di f fe rs consider ab lyfrom m ost o ther ph osphateminera l s,  i ncludin gapatit e,  in  it s che m ical  compo sition a nd th e  molar proport i ons of thesec om p o ne n ts. Th e first ser ious stud ieso fthe miner al wh it l oc k ite were launched i n1952 o n ter restrial spec imens from t h e Palerm o pe g ma t ite quarry nea r Nor th Groton, New Hamp shire . Thesespecimens w ere init ial lyuse d t o de scribe the co m p osit io n and s tru cture o f t hemin era l.  A decade  later,th eAp ol lolandi n g missio ns  re tu rne d ani mpress ive a rray  o fl una r rocks as w ellas  o ther  ki nd s ofmete o ric  materi al. Thisuni q ue r es ou rce led  to an unprec ed ented barr ag e o f geol o g ic studi es designed to characte r ize and  de finethecompositi onand st ruc t ure of  miner als i nthe s e  spec i m en s.Th roughout a l l  st udies  o n wh itlocki te, it has been fo u ndthat the twomos t co m m on  ph o sp h ate  m i ner a l s occurring inlunar rock sw er e apatitea ndwh itlocki te, and  that they us ually occ ur togeth er . In t hebiologic l iteratur e, whitlo c kitea nd  apat ite  are u se  in terch angeab l y. Whit lockit eis als o ass oc iated so  frequently with apatit e in i ts bi olo gic occur ren c esthat it i s fr equently p res ume d tobea patit e.
G eo log i cal o ccur r ences
Whi t lo cki t e  h as two inor g a n icoccur ren c es wit h ge ologic significan c e. The first,know n  as  te r rest ri al whitlockite , i sf o und as a  s econdary mi neral in  g r anite  pegma titesin such a re a s as C uste r C ounty, So uth  D a kota, a sdi n e crys tals  a ssocia ted wi t h qu a r tz at the Tip To p min e ,  anda t t he Pa le rmo min e  inNorth Grot on, New Ham pshire .  T he se cond oc cu rrence  is  e xtraterres t rial whit locki te, whi ch  isnow  known  asm e rrill ite.  E xtr aterrestr i a lw hi tl o cki te h as be en  ide ntified i n  lunar s amp l es as w el l a s martia n  a n d  other typ esof me t e orites, wh e re i t  i s  oneof the  mostcommonp hos ph ate min era l s . Studies  of merr
 most_common phosphate_mineral is apatite, which_is frequently_found_as an_accessory_mineral in many_types of rock,_including igneous and metamorphic_rocks. Apatite has_also_been found in hydrothermal veins and cavities or even Alpine-type veins associated with quartz.__The most_important_varieties_of apatite are represented by_fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, chlorapatite and carbonate-apatite_
 Because_the composition of apatite varies, the term ‘apatite’_is_often used to_describe a variety of different phosphate minerals. Apatite are_also commonly found in biologic systems,_where they are_a_frequent_component of structures such_as bone. Whitlockite is a rare_phosphate mineral often represented as a_type of apatite.  However, it differs_considerably from most other phosphate minerals,_including apatite, in its chemical_composition and_the molar proportions of these_components.  The_first serious_studies of the_mineral whitlockite were launched in 1952_on terrestrial specimens_from the Palermo pegmatite quarry near_North_Groton, New Hampshire._These_specimens_were initially_used to describe_the_composition and_structure_of the mineral. A decade later,_the_Apollo landing missions returned an impressive array_of lunar rocks as_well_as other kinds of_meteoric material. This unique resource_led to an unprecedented barrage of_geologic studies_designed to_characterize and define the composition and structure of minerals in these_specimens. Throughout all studies on whitlockite,_it has been found_that the_two_most common phosphate_minerals_occurring in_lunar rocks were apatite and whitlockite, and_that they_usually occur together. In the biologic_literature, whitlockite and apatite_are_use interchangeably.  Whitlockite is also_associated so frequently with apatite in_its biologic occurrences that it_is_frequently_presumed to be apatite.

Geological occurrences
Whitlockite_has two inorganic occurrences with geologic_significance. The first,_known  as terrestrial whitlockite, is found_as_a secondary mineral in granite pegmatites_in_such areas as Custer County, South_Dakota,_as_dine crystals associated with quartz_at the Tip Top mine, and_at the Palermo mine in North Groton, New Hampshire._ The second_occurrence is extraterrestrial whitlockite, which_is_now_known as merrillite. Extraterrestrial whitlockite has been identified in lunar_samples as_well as martian_and other types of meteorites, where it is one of_the most common phosphate minerals. Studies of_merr