No Arabic abstract
Hibonite-pyroxene spherules are an extremely rare kind of refractory inclusion that show a wide range of exotic isotopic properties despite their defining similarity and simplicity in morphology and mineralogy. One such, relatively large (about 120 micron diameter), inclusion has been found in one of the most pristine meteorites, Allan Hills 77307 (a carbonaceous chondrite of the Ornans group; Petrologic type 3.03). The inclusion consists of two central hibonite laths of about 30x15 micron surrounded by Al, Ca-rich pyroxene. The hibonite laths have uniform composition. The composition of pyroxene surrounding the hibonite is radially homogenously Al,-Ca rich up to about 50-60 microns which transitions to Mg, -Ti rich at the outer boundary. Hibonite-pyroxene spherule found in ALHA 77307 shares many similarities with the other previously found hibonite-pyroxene spherules. A distinguishing feature of the inclusion in ALHA77307 is the presence of two slivers/ wedges at the opposite outer edge of the hibonite- pyroxene spherule that consist of rapidly, poorly crystalized, sub-micron minerals with pristine textures. The pristine petrography and mineralogy of this inclusion allow discernment of the expected general trend of formation and alteration amongst hibonite-pyroxene spherules.
10 Hibonite-pyroxene/glass spherules discovered hitherto are a rare suite of refractory inclusions that show the largest range of exotic isotopic properties (anomalies in neutron rich isotopes (e.g., $^{48}$Ca, $^{50}$Ti), abundance of $^{26}$Al) despite their defining simple spherical morphology and mineralogy consisting predominantly of few hibonites nestled within/with glassy or crystallised calcium, aluminium-rich pyroxene. $^{26}$Al-$^{26}$Mg chronological studies along with petrography and mineralogy of a relatively large (~120 micron diameter), found in Allan Hills 77307 (CO3.03) has been performed. Uniquely, both hibonite and pyroxene show discordant abundance of short-lived now-extinct radionuclide $^{26}$Al that suggest disparate and distinct regions of origin of hibonite and pyroxene. The pristine petrography and mineralogy of this inclusion allow discernment of their genesis and trend of alteration in hibonite-pyroxene/glass spherules.
Olivine-dominated asteroids are a rare type of objects formed either in nebular processes or through magmatic differentiation. The analysis of meteorite samples suggest that at least 100 parent bodies in the main belt experienced partial or complete melting and differentiation before being disrupted. However, only a few olivine-dominated asteroids, representative of the mantle of disrupted differentiated bodies, are known to exist. Due to the paucity of these objects in the main belt their origin and evolution have been a matter of great debate over the years. In this work we present a detailed mineralogical analysis of twelve olivine-dominated asteroids. Within our sample we distinguish two classes, one that we call monomineralic-olivine asteroids and another referred to as olivine-rich asteroids. For the monomineralic-olivine asteroids the olivine chemistry was found to range from ~ Fo49 to Fo70, consistent with the values measured for brachinites and R chondrites. In the case of the olivine-rich asteroids we determined their olivine and low-Ca pyroxene abundance using a new set of spectral calibrations derived from the analysis of R chondrites spectra. We found that the olivine abundance for these asteroids varies from 0.68 to 0.93, while the fraction of low-Ca pyroxene to total pyroxene ranges from 0.6 to 0.9. A search for dynamical connections between the olivine-dominated asteroids and asteroid families found no genetic link (of the type core-mantel-crust) between these objects.
We report isotopic and microstructural data on five presolar hibonite grains identified in an acid residue of the Krymka LL3.1 ordinary chondrite. Isotopic measurements by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) verified a presolar circumstellar origin for the grains. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination of the crystal structure and chemistry of the grains was enabled by in situ sectioning and lift-out with a focused-ion-beam scanning-electron microscope. Comparisons of isotopic compositions with models indicate that four of the five grains formed in low-mass stars that evolved through the red-giant/asymptotic-giant branches, whereas one grain formed in the ejecta of a Type II supernova. Selected-area electron-diffraction patterns show that all grains are single crystals of hibonite. Some grains contain stacking faults and small spreads in orientation that can be attributed to a combination of growth defects and mechanical processing by grain-grain collisions. The similar structure of the supernova grain to those from RGB/AGB stars indicates a similarity in the formation conditions. Radiation damage, if present, occurs below our detection limit. Of the five grains we studied, only one has the pure hibonite composition of CaAl12O19. All others contain minor amounts of Mg, Si, Ti, and Fe. The microstructural data are generally consistent with theoretical predictions, which constrain the circumstellar condensation temperature to a range of 1480 K to 1743 K, assuming a corresponding total gas pressure between 1 x 10-3 and 1 x 10-6 atm. The TEM data were used to develop a calibration for SIMS determination of Ti contents in oxide grains. Grains with extreme 18O depletions, indicating deep mixing has occurred in their parent AGB stars, are slightly Ti-enriched compared to grains from stars without deep mixing, most likely reflecting differences in grain condensation conditions.
The fall of the Annama meteorite occurred early morning (local time) on April 19, 2014 on the Kola Peninsula (Russia). Based on mineralogy and physical properties, Annama is a typical H chondrite. It has a high Ar-Ar age of 4.4 Ga. Its cosmic ray exposure history is atypical as it is not part of the large group of H chondrites with a prominent 7 - 8 Ma peak in the exposure age histograms. Instead, its exposure age is within uncertainty of a smaller peak at 30 pm 4 Ma. The results from short-lived radionuclides are compatible with an atmosperic pre-entry radius of 30 - 40 cm. However, based on noble gas and cosmogenic radionuclide data, Annama must have been part of a larger body (radius >65 cm) for a large part of its cosmic ray exposure history. The 10Be concentration indicates a recent (3 - 5 Ma) breakup which may be responsible for the Annama parent body size reduction to 30 - 35 cm pre-entry radius.
We present here several laboratory analyses performed on the freshly fallen Mukundpura CM chondrite. Results of infrared transmission spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and reflectance spectroscopy show that Mukundpura is mainly composed of phyllosilicates. The rare earth trace elements composition and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry of the soluble organic matter (SOM) give results consistent with CM chondrites. Finally, Raman spectroscopy shows no signs of thermal alteration of the meteorite. All the results agree that Mukundpura has been strongly altered by water on its parent body. Comparison of the results obtained on the meteorite with those of other chondrites of known petrologic types lead to the conclusion that Mukundpura is similar to CM1 chondrites, which differs from its original classification as a CM2.