Chondrite Parent Bodies Research Articles

Early Impact Events on Chondritic Parent Bodies: Insights From NWA 11004, Reclassified as an LL7 Breccia

Key Points NWA 11004, reclassified as an LL7 breccia, records a partial melting process NWA 11004 records a late‐stage shock event at 4546 ± 34 Ma that produced undulose to weak mosaic extinction in pyroxene The presence of type 7 chondrites in the early solar system may be ascribed to impacts on already warm parent bodies

Water and heat: New constraints on the evolution of the CV chondrite parent body

This paper focuses on the post-accretion history of CV3 chondrites, through a combination of petrographic and mineralogical characterization, magnetic measurements, spectral (Raman and Infrared) and thermo-gravimetric analysis of 31 meteorites (including 7 falls, 21 Antarctic and 3 non-Antarctic finds) spanning a wide metamorphic range.We classify the 21 Antarctic chondrites and the Bukhara fall into the CVRed, CVOxA, and CVOxB subgroups. We establish quantitative parameters relevant for this sub-classification. In comparison to CVOx, CVRed chondrites are characterized by (i) a lower abundance of matrix, (ii) a higher abundance of metal, (iii) the presence of Ni-poor sulfides. In comparison to CVOxB, CVOxA are characterized by (i) similar matrix abundance, (ii) a higher abundance of metal, (iii) the presence of metal almost exclusively under the form of awaruite, (iv) lower Ni content of sulfides, (v) lower magnetic susceptibility and saturation remanence.Both CVOx (CVOxA and CVOxB) and CVRed experienced aqueous alteration, and contain oxyhydroxides and phyllosilicates. We show that the abundance of these hydrated secondary minerals observed today in individual CV chondrites decreases with their peak metamorphic temperature. This is interpreted either as partial dehydration of these secondary minerals or limited hydration due to the rapid exhaustion of the water reservoir during parent body thermal metamorphism. Moreover, the lower abundance of oxyhydroxides (that have a lower thermal stability than phyllosilicates and may in large part postdate the peak of thermal metamorphism) in more metamorphosed CV chondrites is interpreted as lower availability of aqueous fluids during retrograde metamorphism in these meteorites.Lastly, we show that in comparison to CVOxB, CVOxA are systematically (i) more metamorphosed, (ii) less hydrated, (iii) depleted in ferromagnetic minerals, (iv) but enriched in metal in the form of secondary awaruite. CVOxA may be thermally metamorphosed CVOxB. CVRed are significantly different from CVOx (matrix abundances, alteration products, opaque minerals), but span the same wide metamorphic range. This could be indicative of a laterally heterogeneous CV parent body, or suggest the existence of distinct parent bodies for CVOx and CVRed chondrites.

Unique achondrite Northwest Africa 11042: Exploring the melting and breakup of the L chondrite parent body

AbstractNorthwest Africa (NWA) 11042 is a heavily shocked achondrite with medium‐grained cumulate textures. Its olivine and pyroxene compositions, oxygen isotopic composition, and chromium isotopic composition are consistent with L chondrites. Sm‐Nd dating of its primary phases shows a crystallization age of 4100 ± 160 Ma. Ar‐Ar dating of its shocked mineral maskelynite reveals an age of 484.0 ± 1.5 Ma. This age coincides roughly with the breakup event of the L chondrite parent body evident in the shock ages of many L chondrites and the terrestrial record of fossil L chondritic chromite.NWA11042 shows large depletions in siderophile elements (<0.01×CI) suggestive of a complex igneous history involving extraction of a Fe‐Ni‐S liquid on the L chondrite parent body. Due to its relatively young crystallization age, the heat source for such an igneous process is most likely impact. Because its mineralogy, petrology, and O isotopes are similar to the ungrouped achondriteNWA4284 (this work), the two meteorites are likely paired and derived from the same parent body.

Oxygen Isotopes and Sampling of the Solar System

Oxygen is the dominant element in our planetary system. It is therefore remarkable that it shows substantial isotopic diversity both in mass-dependent fractionation, because it is a light element, and in mass-independent fractionation, primarily associated with variation in abundance of 16O. On Earth, the primary variation in isotopic composition is related to temperature-dependent kinetic mass fractionation between hydrosphere and atmosphere. Meteorites provide samples of primitive bodies, that have not experienced melting, and planetesimals that have melted early in their history. Samples of Mars, Vesta, and the Moon are present in the meteorite collections. In meteorites, the cosmochemical fractionation related to the abundance of 16O provides a useful classification scheme. Inclusions in chondrites show a large range in 16O abundances from highly enriched (solar) through to compositions closer to terrestrial (planetary). The variability in 16O appears originally to be related to predissociation and self-shielding of carbon monoxide likely in the primordial molecular cloud. Within the chondrite parent bodies, exchange between 16O-poor fluids and relatively 16O-rich solids created isotopic mixing lines. This model makes specific predictions for isotopic compositions of silicates and water ice throughout the solar system. One prediction, that the Earth should be isotopically heavier than the Sun, appears to be verified. But other tests based on oxygen isotopes within the solar system require either remote analysis or sample return missions. Remote analysis will require new instrumentation and analytical techniques to achieve the precision and accuracy required for three oxygen isotope analysis. Methodologies associated with cavity ring-down spectroscopy appear promising. Sample return appears viable only for the inner solar system including Mars and asteroids. While sample return missions to either Venus or Mercury appear highly challenging, the scientific benefits are immense both in oxygen isotope characterisation, and in a variety of other geochemical analyses. Measurement of three oxygen isotopes throughout the solar system would further our concepts for formation of other solar systems, and give us insight into the general mechanisms of planetary system formation and the role of water in the formation and evolution of the chondrite parent bodies and planets.

The role of Bells in the continuous accretion between the CM and CR chondrite reservoirs.

CM meteorites are dominant members of carbonaceous chondrites (CCs), which evidently accreted in a region separated from the terrestrial planets. These chondrites are key in determining the accretion regions of solar system materials, since in Mg and Cr isotope space, they intersect between what are identified as inner and outer solar system reservoirs. In this model, the outer reservoir is represented by metal‐rich carbonaceous chondrites (MRCCs), including CR chondrites. An important question remains whether the barrier between MRCCs and CCs was a temporal or spatial one. CM chondrites and chondrules are used here to identify the nature of the barrier as well as the timescale of chondrite parent body accretion. We find based on high precision Mg and Cr isotope data of seven CM chondrites and 12 chondrules, that accretion in the CM chondrite reservoir was continuous lasting <3 Myr and showing late accretion of MRCC‐like material reflected by the anomalous CM chondrite Bells. We further argue that although MRCCs likely accreted later than CM chondrites, CR chondrules must have initially formed from a reservoir spatially separated from CM chondrules. Finally, we hypothesize on the nature of the spatial barrier separating these reservoirs.

In situ analysis of platinum group elements in equilibrated ordinary chondrite kamacite and taenite

AbstractPlatinum group element (PGE) concentrations have been determined in situ in ordinary chondrite kamacite and taenite grains via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). Results demonstrate that PGE concentrations in ordinary chondrite metal (kamacite and taenite) are similar among the three ordinary chondrite groups, in contrast to previous bulk metal studies in which PGE concentrations vary in the order H &lt; L &lt; LL. PGE concentrations are higher in taenite than kamacite, consistent with preferential PGE partitioning into taenite. PGE concentrations vary between and within metal grains, although average concentrations in kamacite broadly agree with results from bulk studies. The variability of PGE concentrations in metal decreases with increasing petrologic type; however, variability is still evident in most type six ordinary chondrites, suggesting that equilibration of PGEs does not occur between metal grains, but rather within individual metal grains via self‐diffusion during metamorphism. The constant average PGE concentrations within metal grains across different ordinary chondrite groups are consistent with the formation of metal via nebular condensation prior to the accretion of ordinary chondrite parent bodies. Post‐condensation effects, including heating during chondrule‐formation events, may have affected some element ratios, but have not significantly affected average metal PGE concentrations.

Linking asteroids and meteorites to the primordial planetesimal population

Meteorites provide a unique insight into early Solar System processes. However, to fully interpret this record requires that these meteorites are related back to their source asteroids and ultimately to the original planetesimal population that formed early in Solar System history. As a first step in this process an assessment has been undertaken of the likely number of distinct source asteroids sampled by meteorites and related extraterrestrial materials. The results of this survey indicate that there are between 95 and 148 parent bodies represented in our sample collections. This number has been steadily increasing as new “anomalous” meteorites are characterized. Attempts to link these parent bodies to identified asteroidal sources has so far been of limited success, due to the non-unique reflectance spectra of almost all known asteroids. Asteroid (4) Vesta and the HED (howardites, eucrite, diogenite) meteorites are the best example of a relatively non-disputed asteroid-meteorite linkage.As part of this study the “parent body” concept has been examined and was found to be a widely, but loosely, used term in the literature to designate “a body that supplies meteorites to Earth.” This concept could be rendered more meaningful by discriminating between primary and secondary parent bodies. A primary parent body is the source asteroid from which the meteorite is ultimately derived, and a secondary parent body is an asteroid derived through impact or break-up of the primary body. A clear example of this usage is provided by (4) Vesta, with the main asteroid being the primary parent body and the Vestoids representing secondary parent bodies. The concept of primary vs. secondary parent bodies may have important implications for early Solar System evolution. Chondritic parent bodies are known to have accreted between 1 and 4 Myr after CAIs. This timing difference may reflect the fact that their source asteroids, particularly those of the carbonaceous chondrites, are secondary bodies, with the original CAI-bearing primary bodies destroyed during early collisional processing.The number of primary parent bodies represented by meteorites (95–148) appears low when compared to the estimated number of asteroids in the main belt (>100,000 with diameters exceeding ∼2 km). A range of potential reasons may explain this apparent mismatch: (i) meteorites provide an unrepresentative sampling of the main belt, (ii) the belt may only contain a limited number of primary parent bodies, (iii) meteorites may be preferentially derived from the ∼120 identified asteroid families, (iv) loosely consolidated types are filtered by Earth’s atmosphere, (v) multiple, near-identical, “clone” parent bodies may be present in the belt. At present, it is not possible to determine which of these potential mechanisms are dominant and all may be operating to a greater or lesser extent.Based on classical accretion models the meteorite record appears to be highly unrepresentative of the primordial asteroid population. In contrast, pebble accretion models suggest that these first-generation bodies may have been relatively large, in which case meteorites may provide a more unbiased record of early Solar System processes.

Machiite, Al2Ti3O9, a new oxide mineral from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite: A new ultra-refractory phase from the solar nebula

Abstract Machiite (IMA 2016-067), Al2Ti3O9, is a new mineral that occurs as a single euhedral crystal, 4.4 μm in size, in contact with an euhedral corundum grain, 12 μm in size, in a matrix of the Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite. The mean chemical composition of holotype machiite by electron probe microanalysis is (wt%) TiO2 59.75, Al2O3 15.97, Sc2O3 10.29, ZrO2 9.18, Y2O3 2.86, FeO 1.09, CaO 0.44, SiO2 0.20, MgO 0.10, total 99.87, giving rise to an empirical formula (based on 9 oxygen atoms pfu) of (Al1.17Sc0.56Y0.10Ti0.084+Fe0.06Ca0.03Mg0.01)(Ti2.714+Zr0.28Si0.01)O9. The general formula is (Al,Sc)2(Ti4+,Zr)3O9. The end-member formula is Al2Ti3O9. Machiite has the C2/c schreyerite-type structure with a = 17.10 Å, b = 5.03 Å, c = 7.06 Å, β = 107°, V = 581 Å3, and Z = 4, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction. The calculated density using the measured composition is 4.27 g/cm3. The machiite crystal is highly 16O-depleted relative to the coexisting corundum grain (Δ17O = –0.2 ± 2.4‰ and –24.1 ± 2.6‰, respectively; where Δ17O = δ17O – 0.52 × δ18O). Machiite is a new member of the schreyerite (V2Ti3O9) group and a new Sc,Zr-rich ultrarefractory phase formed in the solar nebula, either by gas-solid condensation or as a result of crystallization from a Ca,Al-rich melt having solar-like oxygen isotopic composition (Δ17O~ –25‰) under high-temperature (~1400–1500 °C) and low-pressure (~10-4–10-5 bar) conditions in the CAI-forming region near the protosun. The currently observed disequilibrium oxygen isotopic composition between machiite and corundum may indicate that machiite subsequently experienced oxygen isotopic exchange with a planetary-like 16O-poor gaseous reservoir either in the solar nebula or on the CM chondrite parent body. The name machiite is in honor of Chi Ma, mineralogist at California Institute of Technology, for his contributions to meteorite mineralogy and discovery of many new minerals representing extreme conditions of formation.

Paleomagnetism of Rumuruti chondrites suggests a partially differentiated parent body

Different types of magnetic fields were at work in the early solar system: nebular fields generated within the protoplanetary nebula, solar fields, and dynamo fields generated within the solar system solid bodies. Paleomagnetic studies of extraterrestrial materials can help unravel both the history of these magnetic fields, and the evolution of solar system solid bodies. In this study we studied the paleomagnetism of two Rumuruti chondrites (PCA 91002 and LAP 03639). These chondrites could potentially bear the record of the different fields (solar, nebular, dynamo fields) present during the early solar system. The magnetic mineralogy consists of pseudo-single domain pyrrhotite in LAP 03639 and pyrrhotite plus magnetite in PCA 91002. Paleomagnetic analyses using thermal and alternating field demagnetization reveal a stable origin trending component of magnetization. Fields of 12 μT or higher are required to account for the magnetization in PCA 91002, but the timing and exact mechanism of the magnetization are unconstrained. In LAP 03639, considering various chronological constraints on the parent body evolution and on the evolution of the different sources of magnetic field in the early solar system, an internally-generated (dynamo) field of ∼5 μT recorded during retrograde metamorphism is the most likely explanation to account for the measured magnetization. This result indicates the existence of an advecting liquid core within the Rumuruti chondrite parent body, and implies that, as proposed for CV and H chondrites, this chondritic parent body is partially differentiated.

Machiite, Al2Ti3O9, a new oxide mineral from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite: A new ultrarefractory phase from the solar nebula

Machiite (IMA 2016-067), Al 2 Ti 3 O 9 , is a new mineral that occurs as a single euhedral crystal, 4.4 μm in size, in contact with an euhedral corundum grain, 12 μm in size, in a matrix of the Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite. The mean chemical composition of holotype machiite by electron probe microanalysis is (wt%) TiO 2 59.75, Al 2 O 3 15.97, Sc 2 O 3 10.29, ZrO 2 9.18, Y 2 O 3 2.86, FeO 1.09, CaO 0.44, SiO 2 0.20, MgO 0.10, total 99.87, giving rise to an empirical formula (based on 9 oxygen atoms pfu) of (Al1.17Sc0.56Y0.10Ti0.084+Fe0.06Ca0.03Mg0.01)(Ti2.714+Zr0.28Si0.01)O9.$\left( \text{A}{{\text{l}}_{1.17}}\text{S}{{\text{c}}_{0.56}}{{\text{Y}}_{0.10}}\text{Ti}_{0.08}^{4+}\text{F}{{\text{e}}_{0.06}}\text{C}{{\text{a}}_{0.03}}\text{M}{{\text{g}}_{0.01}} \right)\left( \text{Ti}_{2.71}^{4+}\text{Z}{{\text{r}}_{0.28}}\text{S}{{\text{i}}_{0.01}} \right){{\text{O}}_{9}}.$The general formula is (Al,Sc) 2 (Ti 4+ ,Zr) 3 O 9 . The end-member formula is Al 2 Ti 3 O 9 . Machiite has the C 2 /c schreyerite-type structure with a = 17.10 Å, b = 5.03 Å, c = 7.06 Å, b = 107°, V = 581 Å 3 , and Z = 4, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction. The calculated density using the measured composition is 4.27 g/cm 3 . The machiite crystal is highly 16 O-depleted relative to the coexisting corundum grain (ᐃ 17 O = –0.2 ± 2.4‰ and –24.1 ± 2.6‰, respectively; where ᐃ 17 O = δ 17 O– 0.52 × δ 18 O). Machiite is a new member of the schreyerite (V 2 Ti 3 O 9 ) group and a new Sc,Zr-rich ultrarefractory phase formed in the solar nebula, either by gas-solid condensation or as a result of crystallization from a Ca,Al-rich melt having solar-like oxygen isotopic composition (ᐃ 17 O ~ –25‰) under high-temperature (~1400–1500 °C) and low-pressure (~10 -4 –10 -5 bar) conditions in the CAI-forming region near the protosun. The currently observed disequilibrium oxygen isotopic composition between machiite and corundum may indicate that machiite subsequently experienced oxygen isotopic exchange with a planetary-like 16 O-poor gaseous reservoir either in the solar nebula or on the CM chondrite parent body. The name machiite is in honor of Chi Ma, mineralogist at California Institute of Technology, for his contributions to meteorite mineralogy and discovery of many new minerals representing extreme conditions of formation.

Aggregate Growth and Internal Structures of Chondrite Parent Bodies Forming from Dense Clumps

Abstract The major components of chondrites are chondrules and matrix. Measurements of volatile abundance in Semarkona chondrules suggest that chondrules formed in a dense clump that had a higher solid density than the gas density in the solar nebula. We investigate collisions between chondrules and matrix in the surface region of dense clumps using fluffy aggregate growth models. Our simulations show that the collisional growth of aggregates composed of chondrules and matrix takes place in the clumps well before they experience gravitational collapse. The internal structure of chondrite parent bodies (CPBs) can be thereby determined by aggregate growth. We find that the aggregate growth generates two scales within CPBs. The first scale is involved with the small-scale distribution of chondrules and determined by the early growth stage, where chondrules accrete aggregates composed of matrix grains. This accretion can reproduce the thickness of the matrix layer around chondrules found in chondrites. The other scale is related to the large-scale distribution of chondrules. Its properties (e.g., the abundance of chondrules and the overall size) depend on the gas motion within the clump, which is parameterized in this work. Our work thus suggests that the internal structure of CPBs may provide important clues about their formation conditions and mechanisms.

Accretionary mixing of a eucrite impactor and the regolith of the L chondrite parent body

AbstractNorthwest Africa (NWA) 869 is the largest sample of chondritic regolith breccia, making it an ideal source for research on accretionary processes and primordial chemical mixing. One such process can be seen in detail through the first identification of a eucrite impactor clast in an L chondrite breccia. The ~7 mm diameter clast has oxygen isotope compositions (Δ17O = −0.240, −0.258‰) and pigeonite and augite compositions typical for eucrites, but with high areal abundance of silica (9.5%) and ilmenite (1.5%). The rim around the clast is a mixture of breccia and igneous phases, the latter due to either impactor‐triggered melting or later metamorphism. The rim has an oxygen isotope composition falling on a mixing line between known eucrite and L chondrite compositions (Δ17O = 0.326‰) and, coincidentally, on the Mars fractionation line. Pyroxene grains from the melt component in the rim have compositions that fall on a mixing line between the average eucrite pyroxene composition and equilibrated L chondrite composition. The margins of chondritic olivine crystal clasts in the rim are enriched in Fe as a result of diffusion from the Fe‐rich melt and suggest cooling on the scale of hours. The textures and chemical mixing observed provide evidence for an unconsolidated L chondrite target material, differing from the current state of NWA 869 material. The heterogeneity of oxygen isotope and chemical signatures at this small length scale serve as a cautionary note when extrapolating from small volumes of materials to deduce planetesimal source characteristics.

Search for the H Chondrite Parent Body among the Three Largest S-type Asteroids: (3) Juno, (7) Iris, and (25) Phocaea

Abstract Linking meteorites to source regions in the main asteroid belt is important for understanding the conditions under which their parent bodies formed. Ordinary chondrites are the most abundant class of meteorites on Earth, totaling 86% of all collected samples. Some S-type asteroids/families have been proposed as sources for the three different (H, L, and LL) types of ordinary chondrites with Hebe, Agnia, Merxia, and Koronis families being the source for H chondrites, Gefion for H/L chondrites, and Flora family for LL chondrites. However, the composition and meteorite affinity of several large S-type main belt asteroids remains unconstrained leaving the possibility of additional source regions for ordinary chondrite meteorites. Here we investigate the surface composition of three large S-type asteroids, (3) Juno, (7) Iris, and (25) Phocaea, using their near-infrared spectra (0.7–2.55 μm) to identify the parent body of the H chondrites. We use a Bayesian inference model to confirm the meteorite analogs of the three asteroids. Based on our Bayes classifier we find the following analogs and probabilities: Juno is likely H chondrite (89%), Iris is likely LL chondrite (97.5%), and Phocaea is likely H chondrite (98.6%). While Phocaea has the highest probability of being an H chondrite, it is dynamically unlikely to deliver material to near-Earth space. While Juno has spectral properties similar to H chondrites, its family is unlikely to produce sizeable H-chondrite-type near-Earth objects (NEOs). If Juno is the primary source of H chondrite meteorites, it suggests that an additional source is needed to explain the H-chondrite-type NEOs.

Zinc isotope analyses of singularly small samples (&lt;5 ng Zn): Investigating chondrule-matrix complementarity in Leoville

The potential complementarity between chondrules and matrix of chondrites, the Solar System's building blocks, is still a highly debated subject. Complementary superchrondritic compositions of chondrite matrices and subchondritic chondrules may point to formation of these components within the same reservoir or, alternatively, to mobilization of elements during secondary alteration on chondrite parent bodies. Zinc isotope fractionation through evaporation during chondrule formation may play an important role in identifying complementary relationships between chondrules and matrix and is additionally a mobile element during hydrothermal processes. In an effort to distinguish between primary Zn isotope fractionation during chondrule formation and secondary alteration, we here report the Zn isotope data of five chondrule cores, five corresponding igneous rims and two matrices of the relatively unaltered Leoville CV3.1 chondrite. The detail required for these analyses necessitated the development of an adjusted Zn isotope analyses protocol outlined in this study.

A unique CO-like micrometeorite hosting an exotic Al-Cu-Fe-bearing assemblage \u2013 close affinities with the Khatyrka meteorite

We report the discovery of a unique micrometeorite, containing an exotic Al-Cu-Fe alloy composed of two intermixed phases: khatyrkite (CuAl2) and stolperite (CuAl) and both containing minor Fe (<1.4 wt%). These phases are dendritic and rapidly co-crystallized at the binary system’s peritectic (~550 °C). The host micrometeorite is an otherwise typical S-type micro-porphyritic cosmic spherule containing relict olivine (Fo76–90, Cr2O3: 0.01–0.56 wt%, MnO: 0.03–0.32 wt% and CaO: 0.09–0.22 wt%) and a cumulate layered texture. These properties suggest the micrometeorite is derived from a carbonaceous chondrite (best matched to a CO chondrite) and entered the atmosphere a high speed (~16 kms−1), implying an origin from a highly eccentric orbit. This particle represents the second independent discovery of naturally occurring intermetallic Al-Cu-Fe alloys and is thus similar to the previously reported Khatyrka meteorite - a CV chondrite containing near-identical alloys and the only known natural quasicrystals. We did not observe quasicrystalline phases in this micrometeorite, likely due to the low amounts of Fe in the alloy, insufficient to stabilize quasicrystals. Our discovery confirms the existence of Al-Cu-Fe intermetallic alloys on chondritic parent bodies. These unusual phases require a currently unexplained formation process, we tentatively suggest this could represent the delivery of exotic interstellar material to the inner solar system via impact.

Petrographic and compositional indicators of formation and alteration conditions from LL chondrite sulfides.

Sulfide minerals occur in many types of extraterrestrial samples and are sensitive indicators of the conditions under which they formed or were subsequently altered. Here we report that chemical and petrographic analyses of Fe,Ni sulfides can be used to determine the metamorphic type of the host LL chondrite, and constrain their alteration conditions. Our data show that the major- and minor-element compositions of the pyrrhotite-group sulfides (dominantly troilite) and pentlandite vary with degree of thermal metamorphism experienced by their host chondrite. We find that Fe,Ni sulfides in LL3 chondrites formed during chondrule cooling prior to accretion, whereas those in LL4 to LL6 chondrites formed during cooling after thermal metamorphism in the parent body, in agreement with previous work. High degrees of shock (i.e., ≥S5) caused distinct textural, structural, and compositional changes that can be used to identify highly shocked samples. Distinct pyrrhotite-pentlandite textures and minerals present in Appley Bridge (LL6) suggest that they cooled more slowly and therefore occurred at greater depth(s) in the host parent body than those of the other metamorphosed LL chondrites studied here. Sulfides in all LL chondrites studied formed under similar sulfur fugacities, and the metamorphosed LL chondrites formed under similar oxygen fugacities. The data reported here can be applied to the study of other LL chondrites and to sulfides in samples of asteroid Itokawa returned by the Hayabusa mission in order to learn more about the formation and alteration history of the LL chondrite parent body.

The composition and structure of Ceres' interior

Results of Ceres' exploration with the Dawn spacecraft are modeled and discussed in terms of rock/organic/elemental composition, density and porosity in the interior, and formation, migration and geological evolution of the body. Carbon-rich surface composition is used to assess phase and elemental composition of the interior. The consistent bulk density and surface composition suggest an abundant organic matter within the body. Ceres is modeled as a chemically uniform mixture of CI-type carbonaceous chondritic rocks and 12–29 vol% of macromolecular organic matter. Water ice, gas hydrates or high porosity (>10%) are not required to explain bulk density. Ceres may not have a partially differentiated interior structure because gravity and shape could be explained by compaction of chemically uniform materials. Gravity data suggest a two-layer structure with an abrupt density change. Gravity may not reflect the current global density distribution in the interior because the implied bulk porosity >9% and grain density > 2380 kg m−3 disagree with organic-rich compositions. In contrast, Ceres' polar flattening indicates mild density gradients that could be explained by two-layer and gradual compaction models. The flattening implies grain density of 2200–2350 kg m−3 that is consistent with the organic-rich interior. Viscosity of warmed rock-organic mixtures at depth could account for the observed relaxation of long wavelength topography. The organic-rich composition together with abundant surface carbonates and NH4-bearing phases suggests Ceres' formation at larger heliocentric distances and later than CI chondrites. Ceres-forming materials could have been more water-rich than parent bodies of CI chondrites and excessive water could have been lost from the body. A majority of Ceres' surface compounds could have formed through water-rock-organic reactions in a middle interior followed by collisional stripping of an upper interior.

Thermal history modelling of the L chondrite parent body

Context.The cooling history of individual meteorites can be reconstructed if closure temperatures and closure ages of different radioisotopic chronometers are available for a couple of meteorites. If a close similarity in chemical and isotopic composition suggests a common origin from the same parent body, some basic properties of this body can be derived.Aims.The radius of the L chondrite parent body, its formation time, and its evolution history are determined by fitting theoretical models to empirical data of radioisotopic chronometers for L chondrites.Methods.A simplified evolution model for the L chondrite parent body was constructed considering sintering of the initially porous material, temperature dependent heat conductivity, and an insulating regolith layer. Such models were fitted to thermochronological data of five meteorites for which precise data for the Hf-W and U-Pb-Pb thermochronometers have been published.Results.A set of parameters for the L chondrite parent body is found that yields excellent agreement (within error bounds) between a thermal evolution model and thermochonological data of five examined L chondrites. Empirical cooling rate data also agree with the model results within error bounds such that there is no conflict between cooling rate data and the onion-shell model. Two models are found to be compatible with the presently available empirical data: one model with a radius of 115 km and a formation time of 1.89 Ma after CAI formation, and another model with 160 km radius and formation time of 1.835 Ma. The central temperature of the smaller body remains well below the Ni,Fe-FeS eutectic melting temperature and is consistent with the apparent non-existence of primitive achondrites related to the L chondrites. For the bigger model, incipient melting in the central core region is predicted, which opens the possibility that primitive achondrites related to L chondrites could be found.

Nucleosynthetic Sr–Nd Isotope Correlations in Chondrites: Evidence for Nebular Thermal Processing and Dust Transportation in the Early Solar System

Abstract We conducted high-precision Sr and Nd isotopic measurements in bulk chondrites using a complete sample digestion technique. Our new data indicate that enstatite and ordinary chondrites possess uniform and small, but resolvable, Sr and Nd isotopic deviations from terrestrial rocks. In contrast, the Sr isotope ratios varied across different classes of carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CO, and CV). The deviation of data from the s-process mixing line in Sr–Nd isotopic space likely resulted from the incorporation of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) into carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies. Planetary-scale Sr and Nd isotopic heterogeneities among terrestrial rocks, enstatite, ordinary chondrites, and CAI-subtracted carbonaceous chondrites suggest a heterogeneous distribution of s-process-enriched materials in the early solar system, probably caused by nebular thermal processing. The observed Sr and Nd isotopic variation across the CAI-subtracted carbonaceous chondrites cannot be explained solely by nebular thermal processing, but is likely attributable to s-process-depleted silicate grains that repeatedly circulated among the early solar system. These grains were transferred and incorporated at varying degrees into the formation region of the parent bodies of individual carbonaceous chondrites.

Paleomagnetic Evidence for a Partially Differentiated Ordinary Chondrite Parent Asteroid

AbstractThe textures and accretion ages of chondrites have been used to argue that their parent asteroids never differentiated. Without a core, undifferentiated planetesimals could not have generated magnetic fields through dynamo activity, so chondrites are not expected to have experienced such fields. However, the magnetic remanence carried by the CV chondrites is consistent with dynamo‐generated fields, hinting that partially differentiated asteroids consisting of an unmelted crust atop a differentiated interior may exist. Here, we test this hypothesis by applying synchrotron X‐ray microscopy to metallic veins in the slowly cooled H6 chondrite Portales Valley. The magnetic remanence carried by nanostructures in these veins indicates that this meteorite recorded a magnetic field over a period of tens to hundreds of years at ∼100 Myr after solar system formation. These properties are inconsistent with external field sources such as the nebula, solar wind, or impacts, but are consistent with dynamo‐generated fields, indicating that the H chondrite parent body contained an advecting metallic core and was therefore partially differentiated. We calculate the thermal evolution of the chondritic portions of partially differentiated asteroids that form through incremental accretion across 105 to 106 years, finding this can agree with the measured ages and cooling rates of multiple H chondrites. We also predict that the cores of these bodies could have been partially liquid and feasibly generating a dynamo at 100 Myr after solar system formation. These observations contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting a spectrum of internal differentiation within some asteroids with primitive surfaces.