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Radiogenic Xenon-129 in Silicate Inclusions in the Campo Del Cielo Iron Meteorite

Iron meteorites present a challenge for the I-Xe dating technique because it is usually the inclusions, not metal, that contain radiogenic xenon and iodine. Silicate inclusions are frequent in only types IAB and IIE, and earlier studies of irons have demonstrated that I-Xe system can survive intact in these inclusions preserving valuable age information. Our previous studies of the I-Xe record in pyroxene grains from Toluca iron suggested an intriguing relationship between apparent I-Xe ages and (Mg+Fe)/Fe ratios. The I-Xe system in K-feldspar inclusions from Colomera (IIE) had the fingerprint of slow cooling, with an indicated cooling rate of 2-4 C/Ma. Here we present studies of the iodine-xenon system in a silicate-graphite-metal (SiGrMet) inclusion of the IA Campo del Cielo iron meteorite from the collection of the Museum of Natural History in Vienna.

Meshik, A.↗

The Origin of Dark Inclusions in Allende: New Evidence from Lithium Isotopes

Aqueous and thermal processing of primordial material occurred prior to and during planet formation in the early solar system. A record of how solid materials were altered at this time is present in the carbonaceous chondrites, which are naturally delivered fragments of primitive asteroids. It has been proposed that some materials, such as the clasts termed dark inclusions found in type III chondrites, suggest a sequence of aqueous and thermal events. Lithium isotopes (Li-6 and Li-7) can reveal the role of liquid water in dark inclusion history. During aqueous alteration, Li-7 passes preferentially into solution leaving Li-6 behind in the solid phase and, consequently, any relatively extended periods of interaction with Li-7-rich fluids would have left the dark inclusions enriched in the heavier isotope when compared to the meteorite as a whole. Our analyses of lithium isotopes in Allende and its dark inclusions reveal marked isotopic homogeneity and no evidence of greater levels of aqueous alteration in dark inclusion history.

Sephton, Mark A.↗

Oriented Mineral Transformation in a Dark Inclusion from the Leoville Meteorite

Dark inclusions (DIs) in chondrites and achondrites are dark gray to black fragments that include a wide variety of materials that have experienced very different petrologic histories. Based on the law of inclusions, they are rocks that accreted prior to and are older than their host meteorites and possibly rep-resent an earlier generation of material. The origin of these inclusions and their relationship to their host meteorites is not always clear. They are interesting in that they represent lithologies that experienced different parent body histories than their host meteorites and are either exotic components or originated from different regions of the meteorite parent body. In many cases, DIs in CV chondrites have been altered to greater degrees than their host meteorites suggesting pre accretionary alteration [e.g., 1,2,3]. There is debate concerning whether or not these DIs record an earlier era of aqueous alteration and subsequent thermal metamorphism, and how these processes may have also affected the host CV materials. The present study is a description of a dark inclusion found in the Leoville meteorite (specifically, thin section USNM 3535-1). This inclusion has some interesting features that have considerable relevance for this discussion.

Buchanan, P. C.↗

The Beryllium-10 Abundance in an Unusual Hibonite-Perovskite Refractory Inclusion from Allende: Implications for the Origin of Be-10

Beryllium-10 (decays to B-10, t1/2 = t(sub 1/2) = 1.3 Myr) 1.3 Myr) is a radionuclide that exclusively requires a is a radionuclide that exclusively requires a spallation origin. Therefore, one could obtain important insights into the irradiation environment in the solar nebula by understanding the distribution and abundance of this radionuclide in meteoritic inclusions. Most previous data are derived from B isotopic analysis of coarse-grained CV3 Ca-Al-rich Inclusions (CAIs) that have AL-26.Al-27 Al close to the canonical level of 5 x 10 (exp -5) and inferred Be-10/Be-9 ratios between 4 x 10(exp -4) and 1 x 10 (exp -2=3) [1-5]. Al-26-depleted FUN (Fractionaed and Unknown Nuclear anomalies) CAIs are less studied due to their rarity. FUN CAIs are thought to have formed prior to homogenization of Al-26/Al-27 Al and stable isotope anomalies (e.g., Ti-50) in the solar nebula, and thus represent one of the oldest Solar System solids [6]. So far, only three FUN CAIs (Axtell 2771, KT-1 and HAL) from CV3 chondrites have been measured for Be-10. They are characterized by variable Be-10/Be-9 ratios between (2.7−4.4) × 10(exp -4) [4,7]. Another group of rare, Al-26-free and and isotopically more anomalous inclusions, namely platy hibonite crystals (PLACs) from CM2 chondrites, have well-defined Be-10/Be-9 = (5.3 +/- 1.0) x 10 (exp -4) [9]. Al-26-free CAIs appear to have lower Be-1-/Be-9 than Al-26-bearing CAIs, although large analytical errors associated with some data would allow for an apparent overlap. It has been argued that the observed Be-10 variation resulted from the in-situ production of this radionuclide in CAIs (or their precursors) by irradiation, and the ratio difference simply reflects the fluctuation in projectile fluences [e.g., 9]. Another observation in support of this explanation comes from these CAIs' initial B-10/B-11 ratios, most of which are higher than the chondritic value 0.2478 [10]. This has been interpreted as a result of mixing between spallogenic B (B-10/B-11 = 0.4, co-produced with Be-10 in the irradiated solids) and a chondritic component [5,8]. Alternatively, given that all the inferred ratios, most of which are higher than chondritic value 0.2478 [10]. This has been interpreted as a result of mixing between spallogenic B (B-10/B-11 = 0.4, co-produced with Be-10 in the irradiated solics) and a chondritic component [5,8], Alternatively, given that all the inferred ratios in CAIs never fall below 3x10(exp -4), it has been proposed that the Solar System formed with baseline Be-10/Be-9 at this level, which originated from cosmic ray irradiation of the parental molecular cloud, and any value higher than this is a result of additional in-situ spallation [4,11]. Although not explicitly stated in this model, one would expect that inclusions that incorporated the background Be-10 abundance should form with the chondritic B isotopic ratio. However, the three FUN CAIs all have supra-chondritic B-10/B-11 indicative of the presence of a spallogenic component. To test whether some Be-10 did come into the solar nebula by inheritance,a better understanding of Be-10/Be-9 and initial B-10/B-11 in Al-26-free isotopically anomalous samples is needed. Here we present the result of Be10−B-10 system in an unsual hibonite-perovskite inclusion SHAL (son of HAL) from Allende.

Liu, M-C.↗

Mineralogical Analysis of Calcium-Aluminum-Rich Inclusions Provides Insight Into Post-Formation Processes

Introduction: Calcium-aluminum inclusions (CAIs) are cm- to mm-sized intergrowths of refractory phases found in chondritic meteorites [1]. Their mineral compositions closely match the compositions of the solids thought to condense from an extremely hot (>1500K) gas with a bulk solar composition [2-4], suggesting that CAIs were the earliest solids within the Solar System [2-4]. These inclusions provide invaluable insights into the conditions and dynamics of the early Solar System. CAIs must be transported from their formation region near the protosun to the chondrite parent-body accretion region. The nature of their journey could affect how, when, and where the secondary processes recorded in these CAIs occurred [4]. Did these secondary processes occur in the solar nebula or during accretion with the parent body, or both? How were the CAIs affected by varying thermochemical processes? To better answer these questions, we have undertaken an in-depth, textural study of the secondary alteration of select CAI samples. Methods: We chose three CAIs that experienced a range of post-formation processing to gain better understanding of secondary alteration based on previous preliminary examination [5]. Representative CAIs were chosen from NWA 5508 (CV3), NWA 12772 (CV3), and Coolidge (CL4) carbonaceous chondrites. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques for detailed chemical, mineralogical, and textural analysis of the CAIs. Backscattered electron (BSE) images and X-ray elemental maps were taken of Coolidge and NWA 5508 using the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) Phenom SEM. The JEOL 7900F SEM at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) was used to obtain energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) chemical maps of all samples. High resolution EBSD analysis identified the mineral phases and textures, providing key information on their nature. Based on the SEM and EBSD data, minerals of interest were selected for quantitative chemical electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) using the JEOL JXA-8530F at NASA JSC. Results and Discussion: The EDS maps show that the NWA 5508 and NWA 12772 CAIs designated “Saguaro” and “Hoopoe” respectively [5] are enriched in calcium while the Coolidge CAI designated “Cottonwood” is aluminum and magnesium rich. Saguaro. A ~1.5cm diameter igneous Type B CAI with a rounded shape. The dominant phases are melilite, spinel, and Al-Ti pyroxene with minor anorthite. Spinel is subhedral and occurs in clusters. Some of these clusters have a circular geometry which encloses other minerals, known as a palisade structure [6] (Fig. 1). Some palisades form near perfect circles while others are more irregular in shape. Melilite in Saguaro ranges in size from coarse (>250m) to fine-grained (5-7m) and forms intergrown laths. A third of the melilite grains exhibit simple twinning about their <001> axis. The spinel palisades and twinned melilite in Saguaro suggest an igneous history, and the lack of secondary minerals suggests minimal aqueous alteration. At some point in time after the initial condensation of the minerals and formation of the inclusion, the sample was remelted and quickly solidified. The formation of the palisades is still heavily debated. One hypothesis is that the palisades are the rims of smaller CAIs that accreted early on, essentially acting as xenoliths within the larger CAIs [7]. Another hypothesis suggests an igneous origin for palisade structures [6-8] wherein the melt traps gas bubbles, and the spinel nucleates on the surface of this bubble. Based on the WDS spot analyses of 41 melilite grains using EPMA, the data suggest that the composition inside and outside the palisades is nearly identical. This finding indicates that these palisades are likely not exogenous but rather formed from melt-vapor reactions. Our results are consistent with studies by Simon and Grossman,1997 [6] and Zhang et al. (2019) [8]. Hoopoe. A ~0.5cm compact Type A CAI with an irregular shape. The dominant mineral phases are melilite, spinel, and hibonite with minor amounts of anorthite, augite, and perovskite. The melilite ranges in size from ~500 to 50µm. The larger melilite grains have simple twinning along the <001> axis like melilite in Saguaro. Melilite in Hoopoe exhibits crystal-plastic strain with misorientation dominantly about the <010> and <110> axes. Spinel shows subhedral to euhedral morphology and appears in clusters. Hibonite grains are similar to spinel in habit and size but show more plastic strain. The two minerals are often found together with one appearing to replace the other. Perovskite appears in fine grained recrystallized regions alongside fine augite and spinel. The abundant strain and deformation features in the melilite and hibonite suggest that Hoopoe experienced shock. This shock could have occurred in the nebula [9] or from an impact of another body on the parent body asteroid. The appearance of fine-grained (<10m) areas of augite, perovskite, and spinel in the dominantly coarse-grained inclusion suggest recrystallization, possibly due to the sudden increase in pressure and temperature. Cottonwood. This ~0.5cm CAI exhibits distinct mineralogy and textures suggesting a high degree of alteration. It is irregular in shape. The dominant mineral phases are spinel and anorthite with minor amounts of augite and rutile. The two main texture types can be seen in Fig. 2. The first type consists of coarse euhedral to subhedral spinel and anorthite. The second includes fine grained spinel, anorthite, rutile, and iron sulfides. Within these fine-grained regions, the anorthite grains are clustered into domains exhibiting the same crystallographic orientation. Rutile exclusively occurs with fine anorthite indicating a potential relationship between the two. Cottonwood has a clear and unbroken Wark-Lovering [10] rim (Fig. 2) on one side that consists of a sequence of spinel followed by anorthite and an outer layer of augite. The abundance of the fine-grained regions containing iron oxides and iron sulfides, secondary phases such as rutile, and oriented anorthite grains is evidence for recrystallization associated with a high degree of thermal metamorphism. The EPMA analyses on both coarse- and fine-grained spinel show that the fine spinel grains are more enriched in Cr (1-2 wt. %) than their coarse counterparts (0.1-0.5 wt. %). The data suggest thermal metamorphism drove chemical exchange of the previously refractory inclusion, introducing chromium and iron as well as sulfur, which is moderately volatile. Conclusions: The three CAIs analyzed record distinct secondary nebular and parent body processes. Saguaro melted in the nebula as seen by the twinned melilite and spinel palisades. Hoopoe experienced intense shock which deformed its melilite and recrystallized perovskite, augite, and spinel in fine-grained regions. Cottonwood shows evidence of recrystallization and chemical changes consistent with thermal metamorphism occurring after accretion into the parent-body.

V E Burnette↗

Stressful crystal histories recorded around melt inclusions in volcanic quartz

Abstract Magma ascent and eruption are driven by a set of internally and externally generated stresses that act upon the magma. We present microstructural maps around melt inclusions in quartz crystals from six large rhyolitic eruptions using synchrotron Laue X-ray microdiffraction to quantify elastic residual strain and stress. We measure plastic strain using average diffraction peak width and lattice misorientation, highlighting dislocations and subgrain boundaries. Quartz crystals across studied magma systems preserve similar and relatively small magnitudes of elastic residual stress (mean 53–135 MPa, median 46–116 MPa) in comparison to the strength of quartz (~ 10 GPa). However, the distribution of strain in the lattice around inclusions varies between samples. We hypothesize that dislocation and twin systems may be established during compaction of crystal-rich magma, which affects the magnitude and distribution of preserved elastic strains. Given the lack of stress-free haloes around faceted inclusions, we conclude that most residual strain and stress was imparted after inclusion faceting. Fragmentation may be one of the final strain events that superimposes stresses of ~ 100 MPa across all studied crystals. Overall, volcanic quartz crystals preserve complex, overprinted deformation textures indicating that quartz crystals have prolonged deformation histories throughout storage, fragmentation, and eruption.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Equitable and Inclusive Public Outreach with the James Webb Space Telescope: Combining Art, Science, and Technology

This archived content may contain outdated information or references that may not reflect current policy or programs. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed its first images on July 12, 2022 and has been used for groundbreaking science since. Scientific exploration transcends international borders, making a mission like Webb feasible with collaborators including the European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Communication about NASA’s discoveries about the universe, so essential for involving the public, likewise needs to be inclusive to all. Art is a tool for cutting across the boundaries of language, culture, and ability, and serves as a bridge between the technical and non-technical communities. Art makes the beauty and nuance of science and engineering accessible in ways that may not be readily perceived to those outside of those communities of practice. Equitable and inclusive outreach endeavors are challenging to implement while considering language translations, culture context, sensory methods, and technology capabilities. Formats including “Unfolding the Universe'' virtual reality platform has allowed for a wider audience to interact with the Webb images including sounds, visual aids, and talks by the scientists and engineers who worked on Webb. This VR platform has been expanded to highlight the ESA contributors to the mission and will be showcased internationally. The Webb first images were also translated into sounds as a method of inclusion for anyone with sight disabilities. We will explore some successful outreach methods and suggestions for inclusivity in future.

Outreach↗

Equitable and Inclusive Public Outreach with the James Webb Space Telescope: Combining Art, Science, and Technology

This archived content may contain outdated information or references that may not reflect current policy or programs. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed its first images on July 12, 2022 and has been used for groundbreaking science since. Scientific exploration transcends international borders, making a mission like Webb feasible with collaborators including the European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Communication about NASA’s discoveries about the universe, so essential for involving the public, likewise needs to be inclusive to all. Art is a tool for cutting across the boundaries of language, culture, and ability, and serves as a bridge between the technical and non-technical communities. Art makes the beauty and nuance of science and engineering accessible in ways that may not be readily perceived to those outside of those communities of practice. Equitable and inclusive outreach endeavors are challenging to implement while considering language translations, culture context, sensory methods, and technology capabilities. Formats including “Unfolding the Universe'' virtual reality platform has allowed for a wider audience to interact with the Webb images including sounds, visual aids, and talks by the scientists and engineers who worked on Webb. This VR platform has been expanded to highlight the ESA contributors to the mission and will be showcased internationally. The Webb first images were also translated into sounds as a method of inclusion for anyone with sight disabilities. We will explore some successful outreach methods and suggestions for inclusivity in future.

Outreach↗

Measurement of the inclusive cross sections for W and Z boson production in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{\textrm{s}}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV

Measurements of fiducial and total inclusive cross sections for W and Z boson production are presented in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 5.02 and 13 TeV. Electron and muon decay modes (ℓ = e or μ) are studied in the data collected with the CMS detector in 2017, in dedicated runs with reduced instantaneous luminosity. The data sets correspond to integrated luminosities of 298 ± 6 pb$^{−1}$ at 5.02 TeV and 206 ± 5 pb$^{−1}$ at 13 TeV. Measured values of the products of the total inclusive cross sections and the branching fractions at 5.02 TeV are σ(pp → W + X)$ \mathcal{B} $(W → ℓν) = 7300 ± 10 (stat) ± 60 (syst) ± 140 (lumi) pb, and σ(pp → Z+X)$ \mathcal{B} $(Z → ℓ$^{+}$ℓ$^{−}$) = 669 ± 2 (stat) ± 6 (syst) ± 13 (lumi) pb for the dilepton invariant mass in the range of 60–120 GeV. The corresponding results at 13 TeV are 20480 ± 10 (stat) ± 170 (syst) ± 470 (lumi) pb and 1952 ± 4 (stat) ± 18 (syst) ± 45 (lumi) pb. The measured values agree with cross section calculations at next-to-next-to-leading-order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics. Fiducial and total inclusive cross sections, ratios of cross sections of W$^{+}$ and W$^{−}$ production as well as inclusive W and Z boson production, and ratios of these measurements at 5.02 and 13 TeV are reported.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering on a polarized spin-1 target. I. Cross section and spin observables

We develop the theoretical framework for semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering on a polarized spin-1 target and apply it to scattering on the polarized deuteron with spectator nucleon tagging. In Part I (this article) we present the general form of the semi-inclusive cross section and polarization observables for the spin-1 target. A relativistically covariant formulation in terms of four-vectors and invariant polarization parameters is employed. The target polarization is described by a spin density matrix with vector and tensor polarization. The spin and azimuthal angle dependence of the semi-inclusive cross section is derived and parametrized in terms of invariant structure functions. To validate the result, the structure functions are expressed as photon-target helicity amplitudes with known symmetry properties. The expressions presented here are kinematic (no assumptions about particle production dynamics) and valid in all regions of the deep-inelastic final state (current and target fragmentation regions). In Part II (following article), we consider deep-inelastic scattering on the polarized deuteron with spectator nucleon tagging as a special case of target fragmentation. The semi-inclusive structure functions are computed by separating nuclear and hadronic structure, and the polarization observables are explored as functions of the tagged nucleon momentum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Impact of LHC precision measurements of inclusive jet and dijet production on the CTEQ-TEA global PDF fit

In this study, we investigate the impact of new Large Hadron Collider (LHC) inclusive jet and dijet measurements on parton distribution functions (PDFs) that describe the proton structure, with a particular focus on the gluon distribution at large momentum fraction, x , and the corresponding partonic luminosities. We assess constraints from these datasets using next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNLO) theoretical predictions, accounting for a range of uncertainties from scale dependence and numerical integration. From the scale choices available for the calculations, our analysis shows that the central predictions for inclusive jet production show a smaller scale dependence than dijet production. We examine the relative constraints on the gluon distribution provided by the inclusive jet and dijet distributions, and also explore the phenomenological implications for inclusive H , t t ¯ , and t t ¯ H production at the LHC at 14 TeV. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Ablat, Alim (ORCID:0009000519877755)↗

High-silica glass inclusions in olivine of Luna-24 samples

Optical examination of nine polished grain mounts of Luna-24 drill-core material (0.09-0.50 mm size) revealed melt inclusions in olivine crystals. Two inclusions consist of clear glass with exceptionally high Si, yet contain no visible daughter minerals and have had no reaction effects with the olivine walls. Their compositions (one has SiO2 93.8, Al2O3 1.51, FeO 2.32, MgO 1.61, CaO 0.06, Na2O less than 0.05, K2O 0.11, total 99.41%; the other is similar) are unique and quite unlike the high-Si high-K melt of granitic composition that is found as inclusions in late-stage minerals of these (and the Apollo) samples, from silicate liquid immiscibility. The host olivines are Fo73 and Fo51. The origin of the melt in the inclusions and the lack of reaction effects are perplexing unsolved problems.

Roedder, E.↗

Trace element distribution in mineral separates of the Allende inclusions and their genetic implications

Concentrations of the rare earth elements (REE), Sc, Co, Fe, Zn, Ir, Na, and Cr were determined for mineral separates of the coarseand fine-grained types (group I and II) of the Allende inclusions. These data in combination with other data suggest that the minerals in the coarse-grained inclusions (group I) crystallized in a closed system with respect to refractory elements although a totally molten stage is precluded. The data also indicate that fine-grained (group II) inclusions were formed by condensation from a super-cooled nebular gas; REE-rich clinopyroxene and spinel were formed earlier than REE-poor sodalite and nepheline. In addition, pre-existing Mg isotope anomalies in the coarse-grained inclusions must have been erased during the heating stage.

Nagasawa, H.↗

Examination of the liquid line of descent of mare basalts in light of data from melt inclusions in olivine

Data on 226 melt inclusions and their host olivines (173 new analyses) are presented and interpreted in terms of general liquid lines of descent and olivine fractionation. The melt inclusions in olivine along with those in ilmenite and late-stage mesostasis in mare basalts define a complex trend. The trend is complicated by the effects of ilmenite, plagioclase, and pyroxene fractionation within the melt inclusions in olivine, the fact that most of the basalts were multiply saturated during olivine fractionation, and the phenomenon of late-stage silicate immiscibility. It is suggested that the first two factors can account for the observed marked divergence of the melt inclusion data from simple early olivine fractionation trends. The elimination of the effects of daughter mineral fractionation by homogenization experiments is considered.

Weiblen, P. W.↗

Refractory-element-rich inclusions in CM meteorites

Refractory-element-rich inclusions of a variety of types occur in CM meteorites. Based on detailed study of Murchison and more limited investigations of Murray, Nogoya, Cold Bokkeveld and Mighei, the most common of these inclusions are small spinel-hibonite bodies rimmed with diopside. Bulk chemical compositions are estimated to be approximately 67% Al2O3, 21% MgO, 5.5% CaO, 5.5% TiO2, and 1% SiO2. Although this chemical composition does not agree closely with current theoretically predicted compositions of early condensate assemblages, the inclusions have many features which suggest that they are indeed early condensates. These include texture, mineralogical composition, sequence of minerals and magnesium isotopic composition of hibonite. The CM refractory inclusions exhibit several differences from those observed in Allende and other CV meteorites. These probably record variations in time, place or physical conditions of origin for the two cases.

Macdougall, J. D.↗

Li, Be, and B in minerals of a refractory-rich Allende inclusion

The abundances of Li, Be, and B and the isotopic ratios of Li and B have been measured by ion microprobe in melilite, pyroxene, anorthite, and spinel grains in a coarse-grained inclusion from the Allende meteorite. Based on the measurements, it is estimated that the bulk inclusion contains 200 ppb Li, 310 ppb Be, and 18 ppm B. The B is probably due to contamination. The Li-7/Li-6 ratios in spinels, pyroxene, and melilite are indistinguishable at the + or - 15% level and lie within the uncertainty (+ or - 15%) of the range of values reported for samples of the earth and meteorites. It has been determined that this inclusion contains an excess of Al-correlated Mg-26, implying that Al-26 was once present in it. The Li-Be-B effects for two solar-system proton-irradiation models which propose to account for Al-26 in Allende inclusions have been calculated. It is found that the predicted Li-Be-B abundances and isotopic ratios are grossly different from those observed in any solar-system materials.

Phinney, D.↗

The origin of the 'FUN' anomalies and the high temperature inclusions in the Allende meteorite

The discovery of isotopic anomalies in white inclusions of the meteorite Allende has led to fundamental questions concerning the origin of these anomalies and of the white inclusions themselves. An analysis of the 'FUN' anomalies in the inclusions C1 and EK1-4-1 demonstrates that these isotopic anomalies may be decomposed into individual nucleosynthetic components, which have been subjected to separate mass and component fractionations. There is no evidence that any freshly-synthesized material injected into the primitive solar nebula was of abnormal isotopic composition, or that the FUN anomalies were due to an injection of unusual material. Rather, they show the effects of large mass fractionations and an unusual mixture of normal nucleosynthetic material, likely to be in the form of interstellar grains whose size or chemistry served as a memory for the nucleosynthetic origins of their constituent atoms. Giant gaseous protoplanets, as described for the early solar nebula by Cameron (1978), are a potential site for achieving both mass and component fractionations, and for producing white inclusions in general.

Consolmagno, G. J.↗

Ubiquitous isotopic anomalies in Ti from normal Allende inclusions

A novel technique for the high-precision isotopic analysis of titanium was applied to three terrestrial rocks and coarse- and fine-grained Allende inclusions. Repeated analyses of the three terrestrial rocks gave excellent agreement with a Ti metal standard. All seven Allende inclusions were previously determined to contain isotopically normal Nd and/or Sm, indicating that none belongs to a small group of peculiar intrusions. The discovery of widespread Ti isotopic anomalies in normal Allende inclusions establishes Ti as the first non-noble gas element studied since oxygen to show such isotopic heterogeneity. A survey of nucleosynthetic origins of Ti isotopes suggests that the dominant Ti-50 excesses in these inclusions are due to the relative enrichment of isotopes synthesized during hydrostatic burning in, or near, the core of a massive star.

Niemeyer, S.↗