Magnetism of Extraterrestrial Materials

Abstract

Extraterrestrial materials contain a diversity of ferromagnetic phases, ranging from common terrestrial oxides to exotic metal alloys and silicides. Because of their great age and remote provenance, meteorites provide a unique window on early solar system magnetic fields and the differentiation of other bodies. Interpreting the records of meteorites is complicated by their poorly understood rock magnetic properties and unfamiliar secondary processing by shock and low-temperature phase transformations. Here we review our current understanding of the mineral magnetism of meteorites and the implications for magnetic fields on their parent bodies.