A Meteorite Ablation Debris: Testing and Analysis

Saheeb Ahmed Kayani

doi:10.1038/npre.2010.5450.1

Abstract

AbstractIn this research report, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry have been used to determine the mineralogical and elemental composition of a stone sample recovered from a location near village Lehri in district Jhelum, Pakistan. The test data is compared with previous findings (as reported in literature and included in references) to identify this sample stone as part of a prehistoric meteorite ablation debris.Further to this, carbon content of a specimen of the meteorite debris has been determined through combustion analysis. This carbon abundance has been compared with carbon wt% value of a certain type of meteorites to establish the origin and nature of the parent body of this particular meteorite debris.

Highlights

Introduction to MeteoritesMeteorites are unique and valuable specimens of the diverse planetary material scattered throughout our solar system
As the meteorite debris has been found lying over the site in form of small stones, it seems on entry into earth’s atmosphere, the parent meteoroid succumbed to increasingly high pressure and temperature and at a certain height exploded into innumerable small pieces that came to rest on this particular site (Figure 6)
The villagers have for many years known the existence of this unusual stone variety on the particular location

Summary

Introduction to Meteorites

Meteorites are unique and valuable specimens of the diverse planetary material scattered throughout our solar system. Chondrites are believed to have formed in the outer crust of planets or asteroids They contain small grain like inclusions called chondrules that originated in the solar nebula and predate the formation of our planet. They contain two unique iron phases namely kamacite and taenite Their crystal structure is always identified as a complex interlocking metallic mesh known as widmannstätten pattern. They constitute about 5% of all meteorite falls. Stony-iron meteorites are rare and are composed of nearly equal amounts of nickel-iron and silicate material. They are believed to have originated in the mantle or core of their parent bodies [2]. Iron and stony-iron meteorites are usually readily distinguished from rest of their surroundings due to presence of high metal content and their unique morphologies

Background

Brief Introduction to Combined XRD-XRF Analysis

Testing and Analysis using Combined XRD-XRF Analysis

Need for Combustion Analysis

Analysis using Carbon Abundance

Conclusion