Early core formation in asteroids and late accretion of chondrite parent bodies: Evidence from Hf-W in CAIs, metal-rich chondrites, and iron meteorites

The ¹⁸²Hf-¹⁸²W isotopic systematics of Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs), metal-rich chondrites, and iron meteorites were investigated to constrain the relative timing of accretion of their parent asteroids. A regression of the Hf-W data for two bulk CAIs, various fragments of a single CAI, and carbonaceous chondrites constrains the ¹⁸²Hf/¹⁸⁰Hf and ε_W at the time of CAI formation to (1.07 ± 0.10) × 10⁻⁴ and −3.47 ± 0.20, respectively. All magmatic iron meteorites examined here have initial ε_W values that are similar to or slightly lower than the initial value of CAIs. These low ε_W values may in part reflect ¹⁸²W-burnout caused by the prolonged cosmic ray exposure of iron meteorites, but this effect is estimated to be less than ∼0.3 ε units for an exposure age of 600 Ma. The W isotope data, after correction for cosmic ray induced effects, indicate that core formation in the parent asteroids of the magmatic iron meteorites occurred less than ∼1.5 Myr after formation of CAIs. The nonmagmatic IAB-IIICD irons and the metal-rich CB chondrites have more radiogenic W isotope compositions, indicating formation several Myr after the oldest metal cores had segregated in some asteroids.Chondrule formation ∼2-5 Myr after CAIs, as constrained by published Pb-Pb and Al-Mg ages, postdates core formation in planetesimals, and indicates that chondrites do not represent the precursor material from which asteroids accreted and then differentiated. Chondrites instead derive from asteroids that accreted late, either farther from the Sun than the parent bodies of magmatic iron meteorites or by reaccretion of debris produced during collisional disruption of older asteroids. Alternatively, chondrites may represent material from the outermost layers of differentiated asteroids. The early thermal and chemical evolution of asteroids appears to be controlled by the decay of ²⁶Al, which was sufficiently abundant (initial ²⁶Al/²⁷Al >1.4 × 10⁻⁵) to rapidly melt early-formed planetesimals but could not raise the temperatures in the late-formed chondrite parent asteroids high enough to cause differentiation. The preservation of the primitive appearance of chondrites thus at least partially reflects their late formation rather than their early and primitive origin.     

根据40Ar/39Ar年龄谱探讨陨石冲击事件的分期

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar年龄谱是研究陨石冲击事件的重要资料。根据对55块陨石⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar冲击年龄和陨石暴露年龄的分析,发现陨石的冲击年龄与陨石类型之间存在对应关系。据此,将陨石冲击事件划分为九期。其中3900-4000Ma、470-540Ma和小于65Ma是陨石母体的三个重要演化阶段。阶段Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ(冲击年龄大于30亿年)主要涉及高钙型无球粒陨石。所有球粒陨石的冲击年龄均小于30亿年。陨石暴露年龄因类型而异,铁陨石最大,石铁陨石次之,石陨石最小。     

Experimental calibration of the sphalerite cosmobarometer

The pressure and temperature dependence of the composition of sphalerite in equilibrium with troilite + metallic iron has been determined experimentally at 2.5 and 5.0 kbar between 400° and 800°C using both the aqueous and anhydrous alkali halide flux recrystallization techniques. The measured pressure effect is larger than that calculated by us and by Schwarczet al. (1975a), and is described by the equation (T in Kelvins), P (kbar) = ?3.576 + 0.0551T ?0.0296Tlogmole % FeS.Assuming temperatures of final equilibration between sphalerite and troilite of 350°C for iron meteorites and 600°C for enstatite chondrites, published analyses of sphalerites provide estimates of pressures of formation and possible radii of parent objects of meteorites as follows: IA irons (Landes, Sardis, Gladstone, Bogou, Odessa, Toluca) 0.0 to 3.5 kbar, 0 to 442 km; E6 enstatite chondrites (Yilmia, Pillistfer) ?0.2 to 0.7 kbar, 0 to 198 km.     

New data on the abundance of palladium in meteorites

The concentration of Pd in 7 carbonaceous chondrites, 18 ordinary chondrites, 3 achondrites, 29 iron meteorites and other samples has been determined by stable isotope dilution using solid source mass spectrometry. The Cl chondrite Orgueil gives a ‘cosmic’ abundance for Pd of 1.5 (Si = 10⁶ atoms), in good agreement with the currently accepted value.The concentration of Pd shows little variation among the carbonaceous chondrites, but in ordinary chondrites decreases from the H to L to LL groups. Pd in achondrites is approx 100 times lower than in chondrites. Data for iron meteorites plot around the ‘cosmic’ $\text{Pd}\text{Ni}$ ratio; however the Pd data falls into distinct groups, corresponding to the chemical group classification. These results support the hypothesis that at least two fractionation processes have occurred during the formation of iron meteorites.     

Water-extractable and exchangeable phosphate in Martian and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites and in planetary soil analogs

Aqueous extraction contributes to the formation and weathering of planetary materials and renders electrolytes such as phosphate available for biology. In this context, the solubility of phosphate is measured in planetary materials, represented by the Mars meteorites Nakhla, Dar al Gani 476 (DaG 476), Elephant Morraine 79001 (EETA 79001), and terrestrial analogs, and in the Murchison CM2 and Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrites. The Mars meteorites contain high levels of phosphate that is readily extracted by water, up to 15 mg kg⁻¹ in Nakhla and DaG 476 and 38 mg kg⁻¹ in EETA 79001, while the terrestrial analogs and the carbonaceous chondrites contain 0.5 to 6 mg kg⁻¹. Correspondingly, high phosphate concentrations of 4 to >28 mg L⁻¹ are obtained in extracts of the Mars meteorites at high solid/solution ratios, exceeding the concentrations of 0.4 to 2.0 mg L⁻¹ in the extracts of the terrestrial analogs. A wide range of planetary conditions, including N₂ and CO₂ atmospheres, solid/solution ratios of 0.01 to 1.0 kg L⁻¹, extraction times of 1 to 21 d, and temperatures of 20 to 121°C affect the amounts of extractable phosphate by factors of only 2 to 5 in most materials. Phosphate-fixing capacity and exchangeable phosphate are assessed by the isotopic exchange kinetics (IEK) method, which quantifies the amount of P isotopically exchangeable within 1 min (E_1min) and between 1 min and 3 months (E_1min-3m) and the amount of P that cannot be exchanged within 3 months (E_>3m). The IEK results show that the DaG 476 Mars meteorite and terrestrial analogs have low P-fixing capacities, while the carbonaceous chondrites have high P-fixing capacities. Aqueous processing under early planetary CO₂ atmospheres has large effects on the available phosphate. For example, the fraction of total P that is exchangeable in 3 months increases from 1.6 to 11%, 13 to 51.6%, and 43.9 to 90.4% in the DaG 476 Mars meteorite, Allende, and Murchison, respectively. The results show that solutions with high phosphate concentrations can form in the pores of planetary lava ash and basalts and in carbonaceous asteroids and meteorites. These solutions can help prebiotic synthesis and early microbial nutrition. The Martian and carbonaceous chondrite materials contain sufficient phosphate for space-based agriculture.     

K–Ar ages of meteorites: Clues to parent-body thermal histories

Whereas most radiometric chronometers give formation ages of individual meteorites >4.5 Ga ago, the K–Ar chronometer rarely gives times of meteorite formation. Instead, K–Ar ages obtained by the ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar technique span the entire age of the solar system and typically measure the diverse thermal histories of meteorites or their parent objects, as produced by internal parent body metamorphism or impact heating. This paper briefly explains the Ar–Ar dating technique. It then reviews Ar–Ar ages of several different types of meteorites, representing at least 16 different parent bodies, and discusses the likely thermal histories these ages represent. Ar–Ar ages of ordinary (H, L, and LL) chondrites, R chondrites, and enstatite meteorites yield cooling times following internal parent body metamorphism extending over ∼200 Ma after parent body formation, consistent with parent bodies of ∼100 km diameter. For a suite of H-chondrites, Ar–Ar and U–Pb ages anti-correlate with the degree of metamorphism, consistent with increasing metamorphic temperatures and longer cooling times at greater depths within the parent body. In contrast, acapulcoites–lodranites, although metamorphosed to higher temperatures than chondrites, give Ar–Ar ages which cluster tightly at ∼4.51 Ga. Ar–Ar ages of silicate from IAB iron meteorites give a continual distribution across ∼4.53–4.32 Ga, whereas silicate from IIE iron meteorites give Ar–Ar ages of either ∼4.5 Ga or ∼3.7 Ga. Both of these parent bodies suffered early, intense collisional heating and mixing. Comparison of Ar–Ar and I–Xe ages for silicate from three other iron meteorites also suggests very early collisional heating and mixing. Most mesosiderites show Ar–Ar ages of ∼3.9 Ga, and their significantly sloped age spectra and Ar diffusion properties, as well as Ni diffusion profiles in metal, indicate very deep burial after collisional mixing and cooling at a very slow rate of ∼0.2 °C/Ma. Ar–Ar ages of a large number of brecciated eucrites range over ∼3.4–4.1 Ga, similar to ages of many lunar highland rocks. These ages on both bodies were reset by large impact heating events, possibly initiated by movements of the giant planets. Many impact-heated chondrites show impact-reset Ar–Ar ages of either >3.5 Ga or <1.0 Ga, and generally only chondrites show these younger ages. The younger ages may represent orbital evolution times in the asteroid belt prior to ejection into Earth-crossing orbits. Among martian meteorites, Ar–Ar ages of nakhlites are similar to ages obtained from other radiometric chronometers, but apparent Ar–Ar ages of younger shergottites are almost always older than igneous crystallization ages, because of the presence of excess (parentless) ⁴⁰Ar. This excess ⁴⁰Ar derives from shock-implanted martian atmosphere or from radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar inherited from the melt. Differences between meteorite ages obtained from other chronometers (e.g., I–Xe and U–Pb) and the oldest measured Ar–Ar ages are consistent with previous suggestions that the ⁴⁰K decay parameters in common use are incorrect and that the K–Ar age of a 4500 Ma meteorite should be possibly increased, but by no more than ∼20 Ma.     

Preliminary investigation of mineralogy,petrology and chemical composition of Qingzhen enstatite chondrite

On September 13, 1976, the Qingzhen enstatite chondrite fell near Qingzhen County, Guizhou Province (26°32′N, 106°28′E). The total mass recovered was 2.6 kg. Phenomena of the meteorite fall were recorded as well. In the present paper some of the significant observations are described. X-ray diffraction analyses and petrologic studies revealed that it is mainly composed of enstatite/clinoenstatite, plagioclase, troilite, kamacite, taenite, quartz and oldhamite. X-ray electron microprobe analyses were performed on orthoenstatite and clinoenstatite. Chemical analysis gave: SiO₂-36.48; Al₂O₃-1.64; TiO₂-0.08; Cr₂O₃-0.28; FeO-0.30; MnO-0.25; MgO-18.19; CaO-1.14; Na₂O-1.06; K₂O-0.11; H₂O⁺-0.47; H₂O^?-0.10; P₂O₅-0.39; FeS-13.35; FeO-22.94; Ni-1.81; Co-0.093; C-0.37; Cu-0.022; Zn-0.027; CaS-0.60; total-99.70 (wt.%). This meteorite has been extremely reduced; all iron is present as FeS and metallic Fe-Ni. The Qingzhen enstatite chondrite is characterized by high ratio, Si/Mg as compared with ordinary chondrites, scarcity of olivine, and enrichment in sulfur and iron. In thin sections, it is observed that round chondrules approximately account for 10–15 per cent, being porphyritic, radial, excentroradial, or excentric fan-shaped. Devitrified chondrules composed of pyroxene were also identified. It is postulated from its mineralogy, chemistry and textural characteristics that the Qingzhen meteorite should be assigned toE ₄ orEH chondrites.     

The concentration and isotopic composition of hydrogen,carbon and nitrogen in carbonaceous meteorites

Concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined for H₂, N₂ and C extracted by stepwise pyrolysis from powdered meteorites, from residues of meteorites partially dissolved with aqueous HF, and from residues of meteorites reacted with HF-HCl solutions. The meteorites treated were the carbonaceous chondrites, Orgueil, Murray, Murchison, Renazzo and Cold Bokkeveld. Data determined for whole rock samples are in approximate agreement with previously published data. Acidification of the meteorites removed the inorganic sources of H₂, so that H₂ in the HF-HCl acid residues came primarily from insoluble organic matter, which makes up 70–80% fraction of the total carbon in carbonaceous meteorites. The δD in the organic matter differs markedly from previously determined values in organic matter in meteorites. The δD values of organic matter from acid residues of C1 and C2 carbonaceous chondrites range from +650 to + 1150%. The acid residues of the Renazzo meteorite, whose total H₂ has a δD of +930‰, gave a δD value of +2500‰. Oxidation of the HF-HCl residue with H₂O₂ solution removes the high δD and the low δ¹⁵N components. The δ¹³C values range between ?10 and ?21 and δ¹⁵N values range between +40 and ?11. The δ¹⁵N of Renazzo is unusual; its values range between +150 and ?190.There is good correlation between δD and the concentration of H₂ in the acid residues, but no correlation exists between δD, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in them. A simple model is proposed to explain the high δD values, and the relationships between δD values and the concentration of H₂. This model depends on the irradiation of gaseous molecules facilitating reaction between ionic molecules, and indicates that an increase in the rate of polymerization and accumulation of organic matter on grains would produce an increase in the deuterium concentration in organic matter.     

Composition and origin of the volatile components released from the Pesyanoe aubrite by stepwise crushing and heating

Aubrites are achondritic meteorites (enstatite pyroxenites) that were formed in highly reduced magmatic environments on a differentiated parent body sharing a common oxygen isotope reservoir with enstatite chondrites (EC), Earth and Moon, and could be considered as a geochemical model of the early proto-Earth. Some pyroxenes of the Pesyanoe aubrite have high abundance of gaseous inclusions, captured during the crystallization of the rocks. Investigation of the inclusions by IR spectroscopy reveals presence of OH⁻ groups and C–H bonds. The former are assigned to protonated point defects in enstatite lattice and the latter to compounds occupying void walls. Molecular water and CO₂ were not observed. Volatile components released from the samples of the Pesyanoe enstatite by stepwise crushing and heating are composed of CO₂, H₂O and a non-condensable phase. Hydrogen isotopic composition of volatiles extracted in form of molecular water in Px-separates varies in the range δD = −61 – −84‰ with mean value of δD = −73 ± 16‰ VSMOW and is within the ranges of ECs and Earth’s mantle. The total abundance of H₂ in the pyroxene of Pesyanoe were estimated as at least 0.047 ppm that is too low in comparison with that of enstatite chondrites (≥30 ppm H₂) and could indicate nearly complete degassing of the Pesyanoe primitive precursor material during the Pesyanoe parent body accretion or a mantle degassing in igneous differentiation process. In a last case a primitive precursor could have D/H ratio different from that of enstatite chondrites.     

Deuterium enrichments in chondritic macromolecular material—Implications for the origin and evolution of organics, water and asteroids

Here we report the elemental and isotopic compositions of the insoluble organic material (IOM) isolated from several previously unanalyzed meteorites, as well as the reanalyses of H isotopic compositions of some previously measured samples (Alexander et al., 2007). The IOM in ordinary chondrites (OCs) has very large D enrichments that increase with increasing metamorphism and decreasing H/C, the most extreme δD value measured being almost 12,000‰. We propose that such large isotopic fractionations could be produced in the OC parent bodies through the loss of isotopically very light H₂ generated when Fe was oxidized by water at low temperatures (<200 °C). We suggest that similar isotopic fractionations were not generated in the IOM of CV and CO chondrites with similar metamorphic grades and IOM H/C ratios because proportionately less water was consumed during metamorphism, and the remaining water buffered the H isotopic composition of the IOM even a H was being lost from it.Hydrogen would also have been generated during the alteration of CI, CM and CR carbonaceous chondrites. The IOM in these meteorites exhibit a considerable range in isotopic compositions, but all are enriched in D, as well as ¹⁵N, relative to terrestrial values. We explore whether these enrichments could also have been produced by the loss of H₂, but conclude that the most isotopically anomalous IOM compositions in meteorites from these groups are probably closest to their primordial values. The less isotopically anomalous IOM has probably been modified by parent body processes. The response of IOM to these processes was complex and varied, presumably reflecting differences in conditions within and between parent bodies.The D enrichments associated with H₂ generation, along with exchange between D-rich IOM and water in the parent bodies, means that it is unlikely that any chondrites retain the primordial H isotopic composition of the water ice that they accreted. The H isotopic compositions of the most water-rich chondrites, the CMs and CIs, are probably the least modified and their compositions (δD ? −25‰) suggest that their water did not form at large radial distances from the Sun where ice is predicted to be very D-rich. Yet models to explain the O isotopic composition of inner Solar System bodies require that large amounts of ice were transported from the outer to the inner Solar System.     

我国某些球粒陨石物质组成的初步研究

据统计,我国现已收集27次石陨石及24次铁陨石(图1)。如图1所示我国陨石的分布与人口密度出现正比关系。石陨石多为普通球粒陨石,其中最大的为吉林陨石雨,共收集到约2500公斤样品。铁陨石中最大的是新疆铁陨石,重约30吨,按其重量居世界第三位。 本文的主要目的是根据已发表的部分资料和笔者的室内工作,对我国部分球粒陨石的物质成分、化学-岩石类型及其形成和演化历史进行初步探讨。     

Thermodynamic constraints on the formation conditions of winonaites and silicate-bearing IAB irons

Silicate inclusions in IAB irons and related winonaite meteorites have textures, mineralogies and mineral chemistries that indicate a complex formation history of heating, followed by brecciation and metamorphism. Using olivine-orthopyroxene-chromite assemblages in five IAB iron silicate inclusions (Caddo County, Campo del Cielo, Copiapo, Lueders, and Udei Station) and one winonaite (Winona), we calculated closure temperatures and oxygen fugacities for these meteorites. Calculated olivine-chromite Fe-Mg exchange temperatures are compared to two-pyroxene temperatures. Olivine-chromite closure temperatures range from ∼590°C to ∼700°C, while two-pyroxene temperatures range from ∼900°C to ∼1200°C. Oxygen fugacities of these meteorites, determined for the first time in this study, range from 2.3 to 3.2 log units below the Fe-FeO buffer and define a line between the Fe-FeO and Cr-Cr₂O₃ buffers. Highly variable temperatures were experienced by these rocks on the hand sample, and sometimes even the thin section, scale consistent with the idea that the winonaite-IAB iron parent body experienced collisional fragmentation and reassembly after peak temperatures were reached. Although modest reduction likely occurred during cooling, the oxygen fugacities and mineral compositions recorded at peak metamorphic temperatures suggest that the chondritic precursor for this parent body was initially more reduced than ordinary chondrites.     

Records of ancient cosmic radiation in extraterrestrial rocks

Recent results on cosmic ray interactions in lunar samples and meteorites resulting in production of stable and radionuclides, particle tracks and thermoluminescence are reviewed. A critical examination of²⁶A1 depth profiles in lunar rocks and soil cores, together with particle track data, enables us to determine the long term average fluxes of energetic solar protons (>10 MeV) which can be represented by (J _s,R _o)=(125, 125). The lunar rock data indicate that this flux has remained constant for 5×10⁵ to 2×10⁶ years. Production rates of stable and radionuclides produced by galactic cosmic rays is given as a function of size and depth of the meteoroid. Radionuclide (⁵³Mn,²⁸Al) depth profiles in meteorite cores, whose preatmospheric depths are deduced from track density profiles are used to develop a general procedure for calculating isotope production rates as a function of meteoroid size. Based on the track density and²²Ne/²¹Ne production rates, a criterion is developed to identify meteorites with multiple exposure history.²²Ne/²¹Ne ratio <1·06 is usually indicative of deep shielded exposure. An examination of the available data suggests that the frequency of meteorites with multiple exposure history is high, at least 15% for LL, 27% for L and 31% for H chondrites. The epi-thermal and the thermal neutron density profiles in different meteorites are deduced from⁶⁰Co and track density data in Dhajala, Kirin and Allende chondrites. The data show that the production profile depends sensitively on the size and the chemical composition of the meteoroid. Cosmic ray-induced thermoluminescence in meteorites of known preatmospheric sizes has been measured which indicates that its production profile is nearly flat and insensitive to the size of the meteoroid. Some new possibilities in studying cosmic ray implanted radionuclides in meteorites and lunar samples using resonance ionisation spectroscopy are discussed.     

Thermal metamorphism of primitive meteorites—XL The enstatite meteorites: origin and evolution of a parent body

We report neutron activation data for Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl and Zn in samples of Abee heated at temperatures of 1000–1400°C in a low-pressure environment (initially ~ 10^?5 atm H₂) and in 9 enstatite achondrites (aubrites) and the silicate portion of the unique stony-iron, Mt Egerton. Trace element losses in heated Abee progress with temperature, the lowest retention being 2.4 × 10^?6 of initial contents. These data indicate trace element loss above 1000°C via diffusion-controlled processes having apparent activation energies of 8–55 kcal/mol ; only Co exhibits a significantly higher energy. These trace element data and those for aubrites, Mt Egerton and E4–6 chondrites, and mineralogic and isotopic evidence link all enstatite meteorites to a common parent body. Volatile, mobile elements vary inversely with cobalt content in aubrites and Mt Egerton but directly in E4–6 chondrites; this is inconsistent with all genetic models positing fractionation of such elements during nebular condensation and accretion. However, the data are consistent with the idea that aubrites and Mt. Egerton reflect fractional crystallization of a magma produced from enstatite chondrite-like parent material (probably E6) and late introduction of chalcophiles and mobile elements transported by FeS-Fe eutectic from an E4–6 region experiencing open-system metamorphism. As suggested earlier, the only primary process that affected enstatite meteorites involved fractionation of non-volatile lithophiles from sulfides and metal during condensation and accretion of chondritic parent material from the nebula. If, as seems likely, volatile/mobile elements reflect secondary processes, they can only be used to establish alteration conditions within the enstatite parent body and not to estimate temperatures during primary nebular condensation and accretion.     

Total nitrogen in meteorites

Total N has been measured in a number of meteorites by neutron activation analysis using the reaction N¹⁴(n, p)C¹⁴. From each meteorite a number of chips have been analysed to investigate the variation of N contents in a sample. Many meteorites are found to contain a heterogeneous distribution of N. Eighteen chondrites, mostly of the classes C3, H4, H5, L4, L5, L6 and LL6, and six achondrites are found to have average N contents of 10–45 ppm. These do not show any clear-cut dependence of N on petrological group. However, the inherent heterogeneity or the fact that from most meteorite classes only single falls were studied might be responsible for this lack of correlation. In Cold Bokkeveld (C2) N is high (420 ppm). Unlike C, N content of ureilites is low (26 ppm). Nitrogen is enriched in the non-magnetic as compared to the magnetic fractions in H-group chondrites. Analyses of sieved Bjurböle phases show no enrichment of N in finer matrix material, nor any depletion in chondrules. In two gas-rich meteorites, Kapoeta and Assam, there is no excess N in the dark phases. Nine iron meteorites and three mesosiderites were analysed. Twenty analyses of Canyon Diablo and seven of Odessa establish a very heterogeneous N distribution in these meteorites.     

The Yamato-type (CY) carbonaceous chondrite group: Analogues for the surface of asteroid Ryugu?

We report new mineralogical, petrographic and noble gas analyses of the carbonaceous chondrite meteorites Y-82162 (C1/2_ung), Y-980115 (CI1), Y-86029 (CI1), Y-86720 (C2_ung), Y-86789 (C2_ung), and B-7904 (C2_ung). Combining our results with literature data we show that these meteorites experienced varying degrees of aqueous alteration followed by short-lived thermal metamorphism at temperatures of >500 °C. These meteorites have similar mineralogy, textures and chemical characteristics suggesting that they are genetically related, and we strongly support the conclusion of Ikeda (1992) that they form a distinct group, the CYs (“Yamato-type”). The CY chondrites have the heaviest oxygen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁷O ˜12‰, δ¹⁸O ˜22‰) of any meteorite group, high abundances of Fe-sulphides (˜10 ‒ 30 vol%) and phosphates, and contain large grains of periclase and unusual objects of secondary minerals not reported in other carbonaceous chondrites. These features cannot be attributed to parent body processes alone, and indicate that the CYs had a different starting mineralogy and/or alteration history to other chondrite groups, perhaps because they formed in a different region of the protoplanetary disk. The short cosmic-ray exposure ages (≤1.3 Ma) of the CY chondrites suggest that they are derived from a near-Earth source, with recent observations by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft highlighting a possible link to the rubble-pile asteroid Ryugu.     

Impact features of enstatite-rich meteorites

Enstatite-rich meteorites include EH and EL chondrites, rare ungrouped enstatite chondrites, aubrites, a few metal-rich meteorites (possibly derived from the mantle of the aubrite parent body), various impact-melt breccias and impact-melt rocks, and a few samples that may be partial-melt residues ultimately derived from enstatite chondrites. Members of these sets of rocks exhibit a wide range of impact features including mineral-lattice deformation, whole-rock brecciation, petrofabrics, opaque veins, rare high-pressure phases, silicate darkening, silicate-rich melt veins and melt pockets, shock-produced diamonds, euhedral enstatite grains, nucleation of enstatite on relict grains and chondrules, low MnO in enstatite, high Mn in troilite and oldhamite, grains of keilite, abundant silica, euhedral graphite, euhedral sinoite, F-rich amphibole and mica, and impact-melt globules and spherules. No single meteorite possesses all of these features, although many possess several. Impacts can also cause bulk REE fractionations due to melting and loss of oldhamite (CaS) – the main REE carrier in enstatite meteorites. The Shallowater aubrite can be modeled as an impact-melt rock derived from a large cratering event on a porous enstatite chondritic asteroid; it may have been shock melted at depth, slowly cooled and then excavated and quenched. Mount Egerton may share a broadly similar shock and thermal history; it could be from the same parent body as Shallowater. Many aubrites contain large pyroxene grains that exhibit weak mosaic extinction, consistent with shock-stage S4; in contrast, small olivine grains in some of these same aubrites have sharp or undulose extinction, consistent with shock stage S1 to S2. Because elemental diffusion is much faster in olivine than pyroxene, it seems likely that these aubrites experienced mild post-shock annealing, perhaps due to relatively shallow burial after an energetic impact event. There are correlations among EH and EL chondrites between petrologic type and the degree of shock, consistent with the hypothesis that collisional heating is mainly responsible for enstatite-chondrite thermal metamorphism. Nevertheless, the apparent shock stages of EL6 and EH6 chondrites tend to be lower than EL3-5 and EH3-5 chondrites, suggesting that the type-6 enstatite chondrites (many of which possess impact-produced features) were shocked and annealed. The relatively young Ar–Ar ages of enstatite chondrites record heating events that occurred long after any ²⁶Al that may have been present initially had decayed away. Impacts remain the only plausible heat source at these late dates. Some enstatite meteorites accreted to other celestial bodies: Hadley Rille (EH) was partly melted when it struck the Moon; Galim (b), also an EH chondrite, was shocked and partly oxidized when it accreted to the LL parent asteroid. EH, EL and aubrite-like clasts also occur in the polymict breccias Kaidun (a carbonaceous chondrite) and Almahata Sitta (an anomalous ureilite). The EH and EL clasts in Kaidun appear unshocked; some clasts in Almahata Sitta may have been extensively shocked on their parent bodies prior to being incorporated into the Almahata Sitta host.     

Accurate measurement of silver isotopic compositions in geological materials including low Pd/Ag meteorites

Very precise silver (Ag) isotopic compositions have been determined for a number of terrestrial rocks, and high and low Pd/Ag meteorites by utilizing multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). The meteorites include primitive chondrites, the Group IAB iron meteorites Canyon Diablo and Toluca, and the Group IIIAB iron meteorite Grant. Silver isotopic measurements are primarily of interest because ¹⁰⁷Ag was produced by decay of the short-lived radionuclide ¹⁰⁷Pd during the formation of the solar system and hence the Pd-Ag chronometer has set constraints on the timing of early planetesimal formation. A 2σ precision of ±0.05‰ can be obtained for analyses of standard solutions when Ag isotopic ratios are normalized to Pd, to correct for instrumental mass discrimination, and to bracketing standards. Caution must be exercised when making Ag isotopic measurements because isotopic artifacts can be generated in the laboratory and during mass spectrometry. The external reproducibility for geological samples based on replicate analyses of rocks is ±0.2‰ (2σ).All chondrites analyzed have similar Ag isotopic compositions that do not differ significantly (>0.3‰) from the ‘terrestrial’ value of the NIST SRM 978a Ag isotope standard. Hence, they show no evidence of excess ¹⁰⁷Ag derived from ¹⁰⁷Pd decay or, of stable Ag isotope fractionation associated with volatile element depletion within the accretion disk or from parent body metamorphism. The Group IAB iron meteorite samples analyzed show evidence of complex behavior and disturbance of Ag isotope systematics. Therefore, care must be taken when using this group of iron meteorites to obtain chronological information based on the Pd-Ag decay scheme.     

Restudy of pyroxene-pyroxene equilibration temperatures for ordinary chrondrite meteorites

Electron microprobe analyses of orthopyroxene and Ca-clinopyroxene in 21 ordinary petrographic type 6 chondrites (7 H-, 8 L-, and 6 LL-group chondrites) result in differentK _D (distribution coefficient) values for H-, L-, and LL-group chondrites, which suggest different equilibration temperatures for each group. If we consider the Blander model (Blander 1972), the differences in Fe-Mg distributions for these groups reflect only their different Wo (CaSiO₃) contents, and are not due to differences in equalibration temperature. Ca-clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene in contact with each other give a lower analytical spread and more meaningful results than those analyzed at random. Olivine and orthopyroxene in nearly all analyzed chondrites are homogenous within and between grains; Ca-clinopyroxene shows heterogenous compositions in petrographic types 4 and 5, but is homogenous in type 6. Ca-clinopyroxene in disequilibrated chondrites contains unusual amounts of minor elements Al, Ti, and Cr, a feature that can be used to denote meteorites of this type. Equilibration temperatures for ordinary chondrites, based on the pyroxene-pyroxene geothermometer are not known, although a range of 750–950° C appears to be a fair estimate. The exact equilibration temperatures can be determined only after this geothermometer is carefully calibrated experimentally or empirically, with due consideration given to Wo content.     

Nitrogen in chondritic metal

We report new nitrogen isotopic data in metals of H-, L- and one LL -chondrites, with N abundances in the range of ∼0.3 to 3.3 ppm and half of these <1 ppm. Nitrogen isotopic signatures in metals with low indigenous N concentrations are modified by cosmic ray spallation components; corrections are required to determine the indigenous N signatures. The metals of type 4 and 5 show uniform indigenous nitrogen (δ¹⁵N = −6.8 ± 0.5 ‰) and confirm a reported possible genetic association of chondritic metal with metal in IIE and IVA iron meteorites. Distinct isotopic signatures are observed in two metal samples of the Portales Valley (H6) meteorite which both are inconsistent with signatures in H4 and H5 chondrites, but possibly reveal a record of impact-induced melting and metamorphism on the parent asteroid. Anomalous nitrogen signatures in metals of type 3 chondrites, on the other hand, may reflect residues of surviving presolar isotopic signatures.