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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Ar-40/Ar-39 dating of collisional events in chondrite parent bodies

Ar-40/Ar-39 age dating of a number of shocked ordinary chondrites is interpreted in terms of collisional degassing events of meteorite parent bodies, probably in the asteroid belt. Examples of L, H, and at least one LL chondrite show episodic degassing. Degassing ages suggest several distinct events ranging from about 0.03 aeon to 0.7 aeon and probably higher. All specimens of either the H or L chondrites are not consistent with a single age event. A direct correlation exists between the degree of shock heating and the fraction of argon lost during degassing. However, no chondrite yet analyzed shows complete degassing of its high-temperature phase. Consequently, whole rock K-Ar ages are not accurate monitors of the time of the shock event.

Bogard, D. D.↗
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.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermal metamorphism of primitive meteorites. VII - Mineralogy-petrology of heated Murchison /C2/ and alteration of C30 and other chondrites

Alterations caused by week-long heating of Murchison in a low-pressure environment at 400-1400 C are of two types: thermodynamically favored kinetically controlled or thermodynamically controlled rapid processes. Kinetically controlled changes pertinent to chondritic evolution and which vary progressively with temperature in heated Murchison include: chondrule blurring; matrix coarsening; increasing mean Fa and Fs contents of ferromagnesian silicates; equilibration of olivine; increasing Mg/Si, Ca/Si, Al/Si, and Cr/Si and decreasing Fe/Si, Ni/Si, and S/Si in matrix; Cr loss from kamacite; and homogenization and Ni-zoning in taenite at high temperatures. Low-temperature thermodynamically controlled changes include: transformation of high-Ni troilite to low-Ni and formation of Ni- and Co-rich metal from pentlandite. High-temperature changes include formation of Cr-rich magnetite and formation of a Ni-rich sulfide similar to that found in highly altered chondrites. Trends resulting from processes of both kinds in Murchison are consistent with characteristics of a postulated C30 metamorphic suite, while those changes caused by reactions of the second kind are similar to those in heavily shock-heated ordinary chondrites and the heavily metamorphosed C5-6 chondrite, Mulga West. Either the simulations support the metamorphic origin of the C30 suite and other thermally induced changes or the natural alterations support the utility of laboratory simulations in studying meteoritic evolution.

Matza, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Aubrites - Their origin and relationship to enstatite chondrites

A study of aubrites and their origin and relationship to enstatite chondrites is presented. Aubrites contain enstatite, plagioclase, diopside, and olivine; based on similarities in bulk chemistry of the silicate portions and inferred oxygen fugacity it is shown that E6 chondrites are the most likely parent material for chondrites. It is concluded that the addition of 10% plagioclase of An15 composition to the bulk composition of the silicate portion of the aubrites results in good agreement with that of E6 chondrites.

Watters, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Composition of the metal phases in ordinary chondrites - Implications regarding classification and metamorphism

The paper examines the composition of metal phases and metamorphism in ordinary chondrites. It is shown that below 550 C increasing Co decreases the equilibrium kamacite Ni concentration of an alpha to gamma system, and that the equilibrated L chondrites have kamacite and taenite Co concentrations in the L-group range. Metal-phase studies of petrologic type-3 ordinary chondrites with highly unequilibrated silicates showed a wide range in the degree of matrix kamacite equilibration; in the three most unequilibrated chondrites most taenite is clear, and the high Ni content shows that metamorphic temperatures were lower than 400 C in these meteorites.

Afiattalab, F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Measuring metamorphic history of unequilibrated ordinary chondrites

Measurements performed by a thermoluminescence sensitivity technique of the degree of metamorphism experienced by unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are reported. Samples of type 3 chondrites were ground and heated to 500 C to remove their natural thermoluminescence, then irradiated with either 50 krad from a Co-60 gamma ray source or 25 krad from a Sr-90 beta source. The resulting thermoluminescence measured as a function of temperature is found to differ as much among some type 3 chondrites as between type 3 and other types, leading to the proposal of scheme for subdividing type 3 ordinary chondrites based on their thermoluminescence sensitivity.

Sears, D. W.↗
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 NTRS1981

The Correo and Suwanee Spring meteorites - Two new ordinary chondrite finds

Two new ordinary chondrites were found about 40 km west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Correo is an H4 chondrite with distinct chondrules and major olivine (Fo 81.4), orthopyroxene (En 82.3) and plagioclase (An 12). Suwanee Spring is an L5 chondrite with few distinct chondrules and a highly recrystallized matrix. Major minerals are olivine (Fo 75.4), orthopyroxene (En 77.7) and plagioclase (An 9). The metallic Ni-Fe phases of both meteorites are typical of slowly cooled ordinary chondrites.

Rubin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Graphite-magnetite aggregates in ordinary chondritic meteorites

The graphite-magnetite component has been found (1) as abundant isolated inclusions in eight ordinary-chondritic, regolith breccias; (2) as the sole matrix in a new kind of unequilibrated chondrite that forms clasts in these regolith breccias; and (3) together with a Huss matrix in six unequilibrated ordinary chondrites. It is suggested that the component was formed by low-temperature, gas-solid reactions before the accretion of the meteorite, and that the isolated inclusions of graphite-magnetite in regolith breccias were derived from bodies composed of the new kind of chondrite that has graphite-magnetite as its sole matrix.

Scott, E. R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Chemical studies of L-chondrites. I - A study of possible chemical sub-groups

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Te, Tl and Zn and major element data in 14 L4-6 and 3 LL5 chondrites indicates that the L-group is unusually variable and may represent at least 2 sub-groups differing in formation history. Chemical trends in the S/Fe-rich sub-group support textural evidence indicating late loss of a shock-formed Fe-Ni-S melt; the S/Fe-poor sub-group seemingly reflects nebular fractionation only. Highly mobile In and Zn apparently reflect shock-induced loss from L-chondrites. Data for L5 chondrites suggest higher formation temperatures and/or degrees of shock than for LL5 chondrites.

Neal, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Summary of several recent chondrite finds from the Texas Panhandle

Eleven recent chondrite finds from the Texas Panhandle have been examined and classified according to mineralogical and petrological criteria: five H's, five L's, and one LL chondrite. Five are distinct from nearby finds, while three remain ambiguous and three are related to previously reported chondrites. In addition, data are provided to classify the Muleshoe, Silverton, and Vigo Park chondrites, all of which were previously undescribed in the literature.

Sipiera, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

L Chondrite meteorites: A compilation and preliminary analyses

A compilation of those meteorites currently recognized as being L chondrites, exclusive of the numerous Antarctica finds, was made and is known as the L Chondrite Register. Data for these 576 meteorites was collected from a variety of sources, primarily the British Museum's Catalogue of Meteorites and the Appendix to the Catalogue of Meteorites. Also used was the Revised Cambridge Chondrite Compendium, which provided a convenient listing of L chondrites; other sources include Chinese Meteorites, Meteorites, by Wasson (1974), and the Meteoritical Bulletin of Meteoritics. This last source provided data for most recent falls and was referenced through March of 1982. All such data were recorded on a computer data file with a HP 2647A terminal, so that information could easily be retrieved and manipulated. For each meteorite, the petrographic class, location of find, fall date and hour, mass, mole per cent fayalite, weight per cent Fe, SiO2/MgO ratio, shock class, metal class, 4He abundance, UTh-H3 gas retention age, K-Ar gas retention age, and 21Ne cosmic ray exposure age, was recorded when known.

Silliman, A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Evidence for relict grains in chondrules of Qingzhen, an E3 type enstatite chondrite

Petrographic and chemical studies of the Qingzhen chondrite strongly suggest that it is the most highly unequilibrated (type 3) enstatite chondrite recognized so far. Qingzhen contains abundant, well-defined chondrules, some of which were incompletely molten during the chondrule formation process. The relict olivine grains within these chondrules contain dusty inclusions of almost pure metallic Fe, which appear to be the in situ reduction product of the fayalitic component of the olivine. The reduction process presumably took place at the time of chondrule formation and the chondrule precursor material must have been more oxidized than average enstatilite chondrite material. It is believed that this oxidized material may have formed at the enstatite chondrite formation location in the solar nebula, provided fluctuations in the degree of oxidation of the nebular gas existed at such locations. Reheating of this material under more reducing conditions would lead to the observed reduction of the olivine. Igneous olivines within chondrules always contain detectable amounts of CaO, while relict olivines are essentially CaO-free. This seems to suggest thatg the relict olivines did not originate during a previous igenous process of chondrule formation and might represent condensation products from the early solar nebula.

Rambaldi, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Sm-Nd isotopic evolution of chondrites and achondrites. II

The chondrite data obtained as a result of an investigation of Sm-147-Nd-143 and Sm-146-Nd142 isotope systematics in five chondrites and the Moama and Andra dos Reis (ADOR) achondrites are consistent with previously reported reference values for the chondritic uniform reservoir (CHUR) of 0.511847 and 0.1967. The Nd-143/Nd-144 and Sm-147/Nd-144 values of the bulk chondrites analyzed suggest that the CHUR evolution is known to within 0.5 epsilon-units and 0.15 percent of the CHUR values for the entire history of the solar system. The Sm-146-Nd-142 systematics of ADOR and Moama support the hypothesis that Sm-146 was present in the early solar system, suggesting a high Sm-146/Sm-144 ratio that cannot be explained as a late injection forma supernova, and must instead be due to galactic nucleosynthesis.

Jacobsen, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ion microprobe magnesium isotope analysis of plagioclase and hibonite from ordinary chondrites

Ion and electron microprobes were used to examine Mg-26 excesses from Al-26 decay in four Al-rich objects from the type 3 ordinary hibonite clast in the Dhajala chondrite. The initial Al-26/Al-27 ratio was actually significantly lower than Al-rich inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites. Also, no Mg-26 excesses were found in three plagioclase-bearing chondrules that were also examined. The Mg-26 excesses in the hibonite chondrites indicated a common origin for chondrites with the excesses. The implied Al-26 content in a proposed parent body could not, however, be confirmed as a widespread heat source in the early solar system.

Hinton, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The Colony meteorite and the possible existence of a new chemical subgroup of CO3 chondrites

The Colony meteorite, found in Oklahoma around 1975, has an unrecrystallized texture and contains heterogeneous olivine and low Ca pyroxene, kamacite with low Ni and Co and high Cr, amoeboid inclusions with low FeO and MnO, and numerous small chondrules with clear pink glass. These characteristics are shared by members of the least metamorphosed subgroup of CO3 chondrites. Colony contains a fine grained matrix that has higher FeO and K2O and lower MgO and Na2O than normal CO3 matrices. Allan Hills A77307 is another unmetamorphosed meteorite that has many petrologic similarities to normal CO chondrites, including matrix abundance, mineral compositions and chondrule size. However, it differs from them in its abundance of magnetite and presence of iron carbides. The olivine and low Ca pyroxene compositional distributions of Colony and A77307 are very similar. The shapes of the thermoluminescence glow curves of Colony and A77307 are very similar, but differ significantly from those of normal CO chondrites. It is suggested that Colony and A77307 represent a distinct chemical subgroup of CO3 chondrites, characterized by low Ni, Co, S, Ca, Mg, Mn and, possibly, high Cd.

Rubin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Coarse-grained chondrule rims in type 3 chondrites

Coarse-grained rims composed of olivine, with or without low-Ca pyroxene, occur around all types of chondrules and compound chondrules in type 3 carbonaceous chondrites and around ordinary chondrites. The dark zoned chondrules and coarse grained rims were formed by the heating of clumps of opaque matrix material to subsolidus-subliquidus temperatures in the solar nebula. The most likely source of the heat that formed the coarse grained rims is the mechanism responsible for chondrule formation. CV chondrites may have formed in a region where the chondrule formation mechanism was less efficient, probably at greater solar distances than the ordinary chondrites. Alternatively, CV chondrules may have suffered fewer particle collisions prior to agglomeration.

Rubin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Colony meteorite and variations in CO3 chondrite properties

The Colony meteorite is one of the least equilibrated CO3 chondrites, yet differs from normal CO chondrites in that, while Al, Sc, V, Cr, Ir, Fe, Au, and Ga abundances are consistent with a CO chondrite classification, certain lithophile, siderophile, and chalcophile contents are depleted by factors of 10-40 percent. Colony is badly weathered, and its Fe, Ni abundance of about 19 wt pct is similar to that of the Kainsaz CO3 unweathered fall but higher than all other CO3 chondrites.

Rubin, A. E.↗