Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “orgueil”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6

Physical properties, internal structure, and the three‐dimensional petrography of CI chondrites

physical properties and the nature of their breccation, we investigated nine samples of the Ivuna and Orgueil CI chondrites ranging in size from 1 mm to 4 cm in approximate diameter. The combined mass of unique material investigated in this work is 113 g. For our investigations, we use ideal gas pycnometry, 3-D laser scanning, x-ray computed microtomography (μCT), and accompanying digital data extraction techniques. We found that the bulk density of the samples ranged from 1.61 to 2.10 g cm −3 . Larger samples tend to have a lower bulk density. Grain density (ranging from 2.44 to 2.55 g cm −3 ) is significantly less variable than the bulk density in our samples and the quantity of porosity (ranging from 14.6% to 33.8%) is the dominant factor in determining the bulk density of CI chondrite material. Our μCT results show that the visible porosity across all sizes of our CI chondrite samples is in the form of cracks, but these cracks can account for less than two-thirds of the porosity in the CI chondrites. Other porosity is not visible, even at μCT resolutions of 2.7 μm voxel edge −1 and we conclude that it is sub-micron in nature. It is not clear if the cracks seen in our samples are indigenous to the chondrites or are a result of terrestrial processes. We also find that the CI chondrites are excellent examples of the fractal-like nature of brecciation, where clasts can be observed at all scales we imaged. The breccias are composed of sub-equant-shaped and sub-rounded-textured clasts like melt-free impact breccias on other solar system bodies. From our μCT volume and digital data extraction, we determine that the Ivuna CI chondrite breccia is organized: the mostly sub-equant clasts within our ~2 cm chunk of Ivuna have a mean diameter of 1.33 mm and their aligned longest axes define a lineation structure. We speculate that the lineation was imparted after fragmentation of the clasts by slight shear on the parent asteroid which could be the result of seismic-related granular flow or mild non-axial impact-related compaction. These data will help to place returned asteroidal material from asteroids 162173 Ryugu and 101955 Bennu and the CI chondrites into a mutual geological context.

CI chondrite↗

Thermogravimetric-quadrupole mass-spectrometric analysis of geochemical samples.

Thermogravimetric-quadrupole mass-spectrometric-analysis techniques can be used to study a wide variety of problems involving decomposition processes and identification of released volatile components. A recording vacuum thermoanalyzer has been coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The rapid scan capabilities of the quadrupole mass spectrometer are used to identify the gaseous components released. The capability of the thermogravimetric-quadrupole mass spectrometer to provide analytical data for identification of the released volatile components, for determination of their sequence of release and for correlation of thermal-decomposition studies is illustrated by an analysis of the Orgueil carbonaceous chondrite.

Gibson, E. K., Jr.↗

Abundance of 17 trace elements in carbonaceous chondrites.

Seventeen trace elements (Ag, Au, Bi, Br, Cd, Cs, Ge, In, Ir, Rb, Re, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, U, and Zn) were measured by neutron activation analysis in eight C1 samples (1 Alais, 3 Ivuna, 4 Orgueil and in three C2 samples (one each of Mighei, Murchison, Murray). The results show far less scatter than earlier literature data. The standard deviation of a single measurement from the mean of eight C1 samples lies between 2 and 14%, except for the following four elements: Au, Ag, Rb, and Br. The first two probably reflect contamination and sample heterogeneity, the last two, analytical error. Apparently C1 chondrites have a far more uniform composition than some authors have claimed.

Kraehenbuehl, U.↗

Zirconium and hafnium in meteorites

The abundances of zirconium and hafnium have been determined in nine stony meteorites by a new, precise neutron-activation technique. The Zr/Hf abundance ratios for the chondrites vary in a rather narrow range, consistent with previously published observations from our group. Replicate analyses of new, carefully selected clean interior samples of the Cl chondrite Orgueil yield mean zirconium and hafnium abundances of 5.2 and 0.10 ppm, respectively. These abundances are lower than we reported earlier for two Cl chondrite samples which we now suspect may have suffered contamination. The new Cl zirconium and hafnium abundances are in closer agreement with predictions based on theories of nucleosynthesis than the earlier data.

Ehmann, W. D.↗

Primordial noble gases in separated meteoritic minerals. II

A stepwise heating technique was used to analyze eight silicate samples from the Orgueil carbonaceous chondrite for He, Ne, Ar, and Xe. Six samples, of which two were etched with NaOH, were density fractions. The other two samples were grain-size fractions separated according to their ability to form a colloid at pH 11.5. Results showed the LiCl separation procedure to be gentler than the NaOH procedure. All fractions were found to be deficient in cosmogenic neon. Above 950 C the fractions gave low 20Ne/22Ne ratios particularly in the low-density and noncolloidal fraction. Compared to the other fractions the fraction from 2.35 to 2.45 g/cu cm contained less Xe and released it more rapidly at low temperatures.

Herzog, G. F.↗

Infrared spectra of carbonaceous chondrites and the composition of interstellar grains

Infrared spectra (7 to 40 microns) of the Cold Bokkeveld, Murray, and Orgueil carbonaceous chondrites are compared with phyllosilicate-mineral and interstellar-grain spectra. Similarities in the position and shape of the silicate feature near 9.8 microns suggest that similar silicate minerals are present in primitive meteorites and the interstellar dust.

Zaikowski, A.↗

Condensation time of the solar nebula from extinct I-129 in primitive meteorites

Mineral separates from five carbonaceous chondrites were dated by extinct 16 million year I-129, in an attempt to establish the condensation time of the solar nebula. Two Fe3O4 or Fe3O4-FeS samples from the Murchison and Orgueil meteorites are older than any other material dated thus far, and apparently formed within 200,000 years of each other. The great age, close isochronism, and primitive nature of the samples suggest that the event recorded was the condensation stage of the solar nebula. It provides a suitable zero point for the chronology of the early solar system. The I-129/I-127 ratio during condensation of the nebula was (1.46 plus or minus 0.04) times 0.0001. The recrystallized C4 chondrite Karoonda began to retain Xe-129 1.8 plus or minus 0.5 million years after the above event. This short cooling time implies rapid accretion (not exceeding 1 million years) and a shallow origin (not exceeding 10 km) below the surface of its parent body.-

Lewis, R. S.↗

Are the oldest 'fossils', fossils

A comparative statistical study has been carried out on populations of modern algae, Precambrian algal microfossils, the 'organized elements' of the Orgueil carbonaceous meteorite, and the oldest microfossil-like objects now known (spheroidal bodies from the Fig Tree and Onverwacht Groups of the Swaziland Supergroup, South Africa). The distribution patterns exhibited by the more than 3000 m.y.-old Swaziland microstructures bear considerable resemblance to those of the abiotic 'organized elements' but differ rather markedly from those exhibited by younger, assuredly biogenic, populations. Based on these comparisons, it is concluded that the Swaziland spheroids could be, at least in part, of nonbiologic origin; these oldest known fossil-like microstructures should not be regarded as constituting firm evidence of Archean life.

Schopf, J. W.↗

Mineralogic and petrologic study of the low-temperature minerals in carbonaceous chondrites

Samples and petrographic thin sections of the Orgueil, Ivuna, and Alais chondrites were examined by optical, X-ray, and SEM techniques. Mineral species identified as primary vein constituents were epsomite, gypsum, and a calcium-magnesium carbonate. Relative abundances and textural relationships have suggested that fracture mineralization was a multi stage process, with individual mineralizations closely associated with impact brecciation events. Mass balance considerations of carbonaceous chondrite matrix support the prevailing view that the source of the fracture filling minerals was local. By inference they also suggest that the phyllosilicate matrix has been chemically altered and that there are probably very few primitive mineral phases in the primitive Cl chondrites.

Wood, J. A.↗

Cubanite - A new sulfide phase in CI meteorites

Cubanite (CuFe2S3) previously unobserved in meteorites, has been discovered in two carbonaceous chondrites, Orgueil and Alais. The association of this mineral with low-copper pyrrhotite suggests that it formed in a low-temperature environment on the meteorite parent body.

Macdougall, J. D.↗

Further studies of trace elements in C3 chondrites

Five carbonaceous chondrites (Renazzo C2V, Allende C3V, Ornans C3O, Warrenton C3O, and Orgueil C1) were analyzed by radiochemical neutron activation analysis for 20 elements. Elements condensing between approximately 700 and 420 K are systematically more depleted than those condensing between 1000 and 900 K, and the depletion correlates inversely with matrix content and directly with degree of metamorphism. A model of gas-dust fractionation during condensation, by settling of dust to the median plane of the nebula, is proposed. Gas/dust ratios relative to the cosmic ratio ranged from 0.7 at 1000 K to 0.5 at 700 K for C3O chondrites that accreted first and from 1.3 to 0.6 for the last. No further gas/dust fractionation was indicated below 700 K

Takahashi, H.↗

Vein formation in the C1 carbonaceous chondrites

Veins in the C1 chondrites Orgueil, Alais, and Ivuna have been deposited during an extended period of impact brecciation and leaching. At least three generations of mineralization, dominated successively by carbonates, calcium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate, can be recognized. Vein minerals are derived locally by closed-system reactions between matrix phyllosilicates and an aqueous fluid, with the result that few, if any, primitive mineral phases still exist in the C1s.

Richardson, S. M.↗

Track studies bearing on solar-system regoliths

The paper reports a comparative study of solar-flare tracks and other microscopic features in unmetamorphosed lunar breccias, carbonaceous chondrites, and noncarbonaceous gas-rich meteoritic breccias. The data suggest that these objects originated from material once on and just below the surface of solar-system regoliths. Characteristics of these regoliths are discussed with reference to the track-rich olivines in Orgueil and the impregnated Apollo 16 deep drill core. The use of a variant of the fission-track method to determine the time of compaction of soil grains into a breccia is explained.

Price, P. B.↗

The concentration and isotopic composition of hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen in carbonaceous meteorites

Stepwise pyrolysis was used to extract H2, N2 and C from powdered meteorites and from meteorite residues resulting from partial dissolution in aqueous HF or from reaction with HF-HCl solutions. Concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined for the cases of the carbonaceous chondrites Orgueil, Murray, Murchison, Renazzo and Cold Bokkeveld. Acidification of the meteorites removed the organic sources of H2, so that H2 in the HF-HCl acid residues came mostly from the insoluble organic matter making up 70-80% of the total carbon in carbonaceous meteorites. Good correlation is found between delta-D and the concentration of H2 in the acid residues, but no correlation exists between the delta-D, delta-C-13 and delta-N-15 in them. A model is proposed for both the high delta-D values and the relationship between those values and the H2 concentration.

Robert, F.↗

Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen isotopes in solvent-extractable organic matter from carbonaceous chondrites

CCl4 and CH3OH solvent extractions were performed on the Murray, Murchison, Orgueil and Renazzo carbonaceous chondrites. Delta-D values of +300-+500% are found in the case of the CH3OH-soluble organic matter. The combined C, H and N isotope data makes it unlikely that the CH3OH-soluble components are derivable from, or simply related to, the insoluble organic polymer found in the same meteorites. A relation between the event that formed hydrous minerals in CI1 and CM2 meteorites and the introduction of water- and methanol-soluble organic compounds is suggested. Organic matter soluble in CCl4 has no N, and delta-C-13 values are lower than for CH3OH-soluble phases. It is concluded that there either are large isotopic fractionations for carbon and hydrogen between different soluble organic phases, or the less polar components are partially of terrestrial origin.

Becker, R. H.↗