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Leitch, C. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Leitch, C. A..

5 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Mineral chemistry of the shergottites, nakhlites, Chassigny, Brachina, pallasites and urelites

The mineral chemistry is compared for selected achondrites. Olivine in the ALHA 77005 and EETA 79001 shergottites, olivine-rich Chassigny and Brachina, and the nakhlites, contains Ni indicative of oxidizing conditions, whereas pallasitic and ureilitic olivines contain much lower Ni due to reducing conditions. The Brachina olivine and pyroxene have distinctively higher Fe/Mn than the shergottites and Chassigny, further indicating that Brachina is unique. The Chassigny and 77005 olivines contain lower Cr2O3 (0.03 wt. pct) than the Brachina and 79001 olivines. Values of Fe/Mn for cumulus augites in nakhlites are higher than for the shergottites, whereas those for ferropigeonites are not. The 77005 shergottite contains troilite FeS in contrast to 79001, Shergotty, Zagami, and Chassigny, which contain pyrrhotite. Further analyses are needed, but the present survey indicates that at least Brachina is not chemically cogenetic with the other 'oxidized achondrites', and that the Fe/Mn ratio of the cumulus augites in nakhlites is a problem for the assignment of the nakhlites, shergottites, and Chassigny to a single genetic group.

Smith, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Petrography, mineral chemistry and origin of Type I enstatite chondrites

The petrography and mineralogy of four Type I enstatite chondrites were examined by optical and cathololuminescent and electron microprobe means to discern particular chemical and mechanical processes present during solar system condensation. The specimens examined included sections of the Indarch, Abee, Kota-Kota, and Adhi-Kot chondrites. Textural interpretations were performed, as well as chemical analyses of the degree of similarity of the clinoenstatite, olivine, accessory silicates, metal, schreibersite, troilite, oldhamite, and niningerite grains in each sample. Simple models of progressive condensation either at equilibrium or with mechanical removal of early condensates were ruled out due to the occurrence of both blue and red enstatite crystals in metal clasts. A need for sequential processes of mixing, melting, crystallization, condensation, fracturing, and mechanical aggregation are suggested as necessary to model the formation mechanisms of the mineral aggregates.

Leitch, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Mechanical aggregation of enstatite chondrites from an inhomogeneous debris cloud

Enstatite chondrites have oxygen isotope ratios closer to those of the earth and moon than other meteorites. Their minerals are chemically reduced; metal contains Si, and some Ca, Ti, Mg and Mn are incorporated in sulphides rather than silicates. Clinoenstatite and olivine are virtually Fe-free. Two types of clinoenstatite in the Indarch enstatite chondrite have been reported, one luminescing blue and one red. Similar clinoenstatites in the Kota-Kota enstatite chondrite are associated with two distinct types of forsteritic olivine, one luminescing orange and the other blue. The textural relations and differences in chemical composition cannot be explained by progressive condensation from the solar nebula and require the mechanical mixing of material from at least two sources. It is suggested here that enstatite chondrites result from mechanical and chemical processes during aerodynamic sorting and gravitational settling of debris from a hot cloud of dust, liquid and gas produced during collision of planetesimals.

Leitch, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Lithic clasts in the Supuhee chondrite

Bulk chemical analyses of three foreign lithic clasts from Supuhee, a shocked and brecciated H6 chondrite, were carried out in an attempt to locate 'mysterite', a volatile-rich material postulated to be present. Clast 1 bears some similarities to C1 and C2 chondrites, but its relatively low (less than 9.4%) volatile content suggests a different set of physicochemical conditions during low-temperature condensation. Clast 2 was apparently derived from H-group chondrite material by loss of metal and sulfide. Clast 3 is an unusual meteorite type whose chemical composition is reminiscent of the unique chondrite Kakangari (Graham, et al., 1977). These chemically distinct bodies were apparently not present during the metamorphic event which affected Supuhee. Although the presence of mysterite was not confirmed or refuted, the present results indicate that conditions were favorable for the formation, incorporation and preservation of volatile-rich materials.

Leitch, C. A.↗