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NASA NTRS1977

The origin of iron meteorites

The chemistry of iron meteorites is compared with predictions of the chemical fractionations that develop during the cosmic history of the metal phase, from condensation and accretion through melting, segregation, and freezing. Of the 12 resolved iron meteorite groups, three appear to have evolved in bodies which accreted at temperatures in excess of 1000 K. In several cases, the core-forming process seems to have ceased prematurely, just as the metal began to melt and flow (group IAB with its silicate inclusions) or after the metal aggregated into pods but before it sank to form a core (group IVA, with groups IIAB and IIIAB being in more advanced stages). The Shaw chondrite contains residual metal from a partial melting process, as required to complement the fractional melts which refroze prematurely in the case of group IAB meteorites.

Kelly, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Four new iron meteorite finds

Four new iron meteorites are described: Buenaventura (IIIB) from Chihuahua, Mexico: mass 114 kg; Denver City (anomalous) from Texas, USA: mass 26.1 kg; Kinsella (IIIB) from Alberta, Canada: mass 3.7 kg; and Tacoma (IA) from Washington, USA: mass 17 g. Denver City is unique - i.e., not related to any other known iron. Tacoma is the smallest iron meteorite recorded. The meteorites were initially discovered in 1969, 1975, 1946, and between 1925 and 1932, respectively.

Scott, E. R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1975

The state of meteoritic material on the moon

Velocity distributions obtained from earth-based meteor observations and corrected to constant meteoroid mass are transformed to meteoroid impact velocity distributions at the moon. Average velocities at the moon thus obtained range from 13 to 18 km/sec. This information is then combined with impact heating estimates to determine the amounts of resident lunar material and incoming meteoritic material that is melted or vaporized. It is found that about 5% of the resulting melt and about 25% of the impact generated vapor should be of meteoritic content. The uncertainties in these estimates are rather large, however, because of uncertainties in the various experimental results required to establish the parameters used in this analysis. The impact generated melts and impact generated vapor deposits, if the latter can be found, should provide additional means for chemically separating out the meteoritic component in the lunar soil.

Zook, H. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Genetic relations between the moon and meteorites

The moon is shown to have an oxygen isotope distribution similar to that of the earth and the differentiated meteorites (achondrites, mesosiderites, pallasites, irons) but, according to the same criterion, the moon is unrelated to the ordinary chondrites or carbonaceous chondrites. The principal differences between the inferred chemical composition of the moon and that of chondritic meteorites is the depletion of volatile and semivolatile elements, the enrichment of uranium by a factor of 10-15, and the enrichment of the source regions of mare basalts in LIL elements by a factor of 5-10. The reported data support the theory that the moon was formed by the capture of differentiated meteorites. Volatile-element depletion and 'refractory' element enrichment are considered.

Clayton, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Evidence for meteoritic sulfur in the lunar regolith

Abundance and isotopic data are presented for a suite of 19 soils from the Apollo 16 mission. It is concluded that the S systematics of the lunar regolith support a model in which S from a number of indigenous rock types is mixed with a time-dependent, extralunar component of probably meteoritic origin. This mixture is processed on the lunar surface by a time-dependent mechanism which removes S-32 enriched S from the moon, enriching the residue in S-34. The loss of S by this mechanism approximately equals the meteoritic input, producing the apparent coincidence between rock abundances and abundances in soils which has led to adoption of simplified mixing models. In reality, at least for the Apollo 16 site, addition of meteoritic S slightly outweighs loss from the moon, resulting in a positive trend.

Kerridge, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Trace element contents of selected antarctic meteorites, 1

Data are reported for volatile/mobile Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, T1 and Zn in exterior and/or interior samples of four Antarctic meteorites: 77005 (unique achondrite); 77257 (unreilite); 77278 (L3); 77299 (H3). Exterior samples reflect contamination and/or leaching by weathering but trace element (ppm-ppt) contents in interior samples seem reasonable for representatives of these rare meteoritic types. The 77005 achondrite seems related to shergottites; other samples extend compositional ranges previously known for their types. With suitable precautions, Antarctic meteorite finds yield trace element data as reliable as those obtained from previously known falls.

Biswas, S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A petrogenetic model of the relationships among achondritic meteorites

Petrological evidence is used to support the hypothesis that although the magma source regions and parent bodies of basaltic achondrite, shergottite, nakhlite, and chassignite meteorites are clearly distinct, they may be simply related. It is proposed that the peridotites which on partial melting generated the parent magmas of the shergottite meteorites differed from those which gave rise to eucritic magmas by being enriched in a component rich in alkalis and other volatiles. Similarly, the source regions of the parent magmas of the nakhlite and chassignite meteorites differed from those on the shergottite parent body by being still richer in this volatile-rich component. These regions could have been related by processes such as mixture of variable amounts of volatile-rich and volatile-poor components in planetary or nebular settings, or alternatively by variable varying degrees of volatile loss from volatile-rich materials.

Stolper, E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Meteoritic material in lunar highland samples from the Apollo 11 and 12 sites

Radiochemical neutron activation analyses for Ag, Au, Bi, Br, Cd, Cs, Ge, In, Ir, Ni, Os, Pd, Rb, Re, Sb, Te, Tl, U and Zn were carried out on 11 samples from the Apollo 11 and 12 sites (two samples of rock 12013, one granitic and one KREEPy; 4 KREEP fragments from 2-4 mm soil 12033,2; 4 anorthositic fragments from 1-3 mm soil 10085,104; 1 sample of 'Luny' rock-felsite-KREEP breccia 12013 10085,31 LR-1). Most Apollo 12 samples were found to have an Imbrium meteoritic component; others, typified by the Luny breccia, apparently contain a new meteoritic component of low Re content. Components of higher Ir/Au ratio (3L, 5L and 7) were found in Apollo 11 anorthositic samples; the fact that their enrichment in meteoritic siderophiles parallels that of Fe, Mg, REE and other KREEP elements is consistent with progressive contamination of an anorthositic crust. The Luny rock was tentatively classified Group 2, supporting the assignment of this group to Serenitatis.

Janssens, M.-J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Ries impact crater, southern Germany - Search for meteoritic material

Twenty-three samples covering a wide range of shock metamorphism from the Ries impact crater in southern Germany were analyzed for siderophile and volatile elements in order to determine the chemical nature of the impacting meteorite. Slight enrichments in the siderophile elements Ir and Os above the indigenous level of 0.015 ppb were observed in only eight samples, including a shocked, metal-bearing amphibolite and two weakly shocked biotite gneisses, whereas those samples expected to contain meteoritic material (heavily shocked glasses) do not exhibit a perceptible siderophile enrichment. The Ir, Os and Ni enrichments of the metal bearing amphibolite are found to be compatible with chondritic ratios, while in the other enriched samples, Ir, Ni and Se relationships suggest an achondritic meteoritic origin. An aubritic projectile is concluded to be most compatible with the data.

Morgan, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Origin of differentiated meteorites

The larger asteroids with low inclination in the inner portion of the asteroid belt are evaluated as sources of differentiated meteorites (irons, stony irons and achondrites). It is found that the calculated earth impact rate is in agreement with the observed flux of these bodies. The frequent occurrence of elapsed times before impact of 0-1000 m.y. is in agreement with the observed typical exposure ages of iron meteorites, and the observed occurrence of some very young (less than 100 m.y.) exposure ages. The absence of many greater than 1000 m.y. iron meteorite exposure ages and greater than 50 m.y. achondrite exposure ages must be attributed to collisional destruction as the calculations predict a significant number of these older ages. Chemical and isotopic data on these bodies suggest a relationship to the earth and moon, and it may be that they represent residual material from earth's accretional zone.

Wetherill, G. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Comets: Cosmic connections with carbonaceous meteorites, interstellar molecules and the origin of life

The ions, radicals, and molecules observed in comets may be derived intact or by partial decomposition from parent compounds of the sort found either in the interstellar medium or in carbonaceous meteorites. The early loss of highly reducing primitive atmosphere and its replacement by a secondary atmosphere dominated by H2O, CO2, and N2, as depicted in current models of the earth's evolution, pose a dilemma for the origin of life: the synthesis of organic compounds necessary for life from components of the secondary atmosphere appears to be difficult, and plausible mechanisms have not been evaluated. Both comets and carbonaceous meteorites are implicated as sources for the earth's atmophilic and organogenic elements. A mass balance argument involving the estimated ratios of hydrogen to carbon in carbonaceous meteorites, comets, and the crust and upper mantle suggests that comets supplied the earth with a large fraction of its volatiles. The probability that comets contributed significantly to the earth's volatile inventory suggests a chemical evolutionary link between comets, prebiotic organic synthesis, and the origin of life.

Chang, S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Mineralogic and petrologic studies of lunar samples and meteorites

Experimental and thermodynamic research on the pressure temperature limits of the stability of the mineral assemblages found in pristine, spinel bearing lunar highland lithologies demonstrated the likelihood that the minerals originated in the lower stratigraphic levels of the primordial crust. The phase equilibrium in silicate solid/liquid systems of planetary importance were thermochemically interpreted in order to model the early formation of the crusts and maneles of Earth and Moon sized planets. The petrography and chemical composition of coarse grained gabbro, the chemical analysis and age dating of clasts from Apollo 16 breccia, the analysis of glass particles from Apollo 16 soil samples, the study of Allende and Mokoia meteorites as a source of information about events in the solar nebula, and the hydrothermal alteration of amorphous materials were also investigated. The capabilities of a model for addressing the problem of the origin of the Earth's moon by the disruptive capture mechanism are examined as well as models of the thermal evolution of hypothetical meteorite bodies. Progress in determining the composition of stony meteorite specimens collected at the Allan Hills site during the Antarctic field exploration is reported.

Wood, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Nebular condensation of Ga, Ge and Sb and the chemical classification of iron meteorites

The quantization of the Ga and Ge contents in iron meteorites, which is used as a key parameter in the chemical classification of iron meteorites, is discussed in terms of nebular condensation. The calculation of nebular equilibrium condensation is examined, taking into account the dependence of the activity coefficient on temperature and composition, and recent calculations of the condensation temperatures of Ga, Ge, Sb, Au, As and Cu are presented, noting that Ge is the most volatile siderophile, followed by Ga and Sb. The narrow intragroup ranges of Ga and Ge are interpreted in terms of minimal fractionation during core crystallization, while the larger ranges of Sb are attributed to its significantly smaller solid/liquid distribution coefficient in IIIAB meteorites.

Wai, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 10th, Houston, Tex., March 19-23, 1979, Proceedings. Volume 1 - Meteorites and lunar rocks

Papers are presented concerning studies of lunar basalts, highland rocks, and meteorites. Specific topics include the petrology and chemistry of basaltic fragments from Apollo 11 soil; the composition, magma types and petrogenesis of Apollo 17 high-Ti mare basalts; the chemistry and probable origin of Apollo 15 green glass; experimental studies of the partitioning of nickel and chromium into olivine from synthetic basaltic melts; the petrology and geochemistry of pristine highland rocks; the argon isotope age systematics of consortium breccia 73255; magnetite-sulfide-metal complexes in the Allende meteorite; the fractionation of refractory lithophile elements in chondritic meteorites; and the origin and relation to enstatite chondrites of aubrites.

Merrill, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Electron-optical observations of ordered FeNi in the Estherville meteorite

Electron optical studies of the ordered FeNi (taenite) phase in the Estherville meteorite are reported. A thin section of the meteorite containing a large area of continuous anisotropic taenite was studied by crossed polar reflected light microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry. Results reveal the presence of preferentially ion-etched regions of clear taenite corresponding to single crystals, with superlattice reflections in the fundamental FeNi reciprocal lattice arising from long-range ordering. The presence of antiphase domain boundaries within the regions also confirms the presence of ordering. It is thus proposed that clear taenite in the Estherville meteorite contains regions of ordered FeNi phase in a disordered gamma-phase matrix.

Mehta, S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Trace element contents of selected Antarctic meteorites. I - Weathering effects and ALH A77005, A77257, A77278 and A 77299

Data is examined for volatile/mobile Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, Tl and Zn in exterior and/or interior samples of four Antarctic meteorites from the Allan Hills (ALH): A77005 (unique achondrite); A77257 (ureilite); A77278 (L3); A77299 (H3). Exterior samples reflect contamination and/or leaching by weathering but trace element (ppm-ppt) contents in interior samples seem reasonable for representatives of these rare meteoritic types. The A77005 achondrite is shown to be related to shergottites; other samples extend compositional ranges previously known for their groups or types. With suitable precautions, Antarctic meteorite finds yield trace element data as reliable as those obtained from previously known falls.

Biswas, S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Chemical classification of iron meteorites. IX - A new group /IIF/, revision of IAB and IIICD, and data on 57 additional irons

The paper discusses the chemical classification of independent iron meteorites which include 57 meteorites based on structural observations and concentrations of Ni, Ga, Ge, and Ir. Instrumental neutron activation analysis indicates that five previously studied irons with very high Ge/Ga ratios are compositionally closely related and can be gathered together as group IIF; a previously unstudied iron, Dehesa, has the highest Ge/Ga ratios known in an iron meteorite, a ratio 18 times higher than that in CI chondrites. In terms of Ge/Ga ratios and other properties, group IIF shows genetic links to the Eagle station pallasites and CO/CV chondrites. The iron with the highest Ni concentration, Oktibbeha County, is a member of group IAB, and it extends the concentration ranges of all elements in this nonmagnetic group.

Kracher, A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Meteoritic material at four Canadian impact craters

Eleven impact melt and six basement rock samples from four craters were analyzed by neutron activation for Au, Co, Cr, Fe, Ge, Ir, Ni, Os, Pd, Re and Se. Wanapitei Lake, Ontario: the impact melts show uniform enrichments corresponding to 1-2% C1-chondrite material. Interelement ratios (Co/Cr, Ni/Cr, Ni/Ir) suggest that the impacting body was a C1-, C2-, or LL-chondrite. Nicholson Lake, North West Territory: Ni, Cr and Co are distinctly more enriched than Ir and Au which tentatively suggests an olivine-rich achondrite (nakhlite or ureilite). Gow Lake, Saskatchewan and Mistastin, Labrador: small enrichments in Ir and Ni; both the low Ir/Ni ratios and low Cr content suggest iron meteorites, but the signals are too weak for conclusive identification. A tentative comparison of meteoritic signatures at 10 large, greater than or equal to 4 km craters and their presumed celestial counterparts (13 Apollo and Amor asteroids) shows more irons and achondrites among known projectile types, and a preponderance of S-type objects, having no known meteoritic equivalent, among asteroids. It is not yet clear that these differences are significant, in view of the tentative nature of the crater identifications and the limited statistics.

Wolf, R.↗