Cosmic-ray tracks and cobalt-60 in near-surface samples of the Jilin chondrite

Abstract— Cosmic-ray track densities (CRTDs) have been measured on several spot samples from two Jilin specimens from the strewn field (VI-21-057 and VI-42-04), along with ⁶⁰Co activity in three and four sections, respectively, of the same specimens. The observed CRTD gradient agrees remarkably well with that predicted by Bhattacharya et al.'s calculations (1973) of CRTD variation as a function of shielding depth, which indicates a negligible contribution from the first 2π-irradiation stage. The shortest distance of each specimen to the preatmospheric surface is 3.6 cm and 6.8 cm, respectively. The distance scale deduced from these measurements allows the determination of the variation of ⁶⁰Co activity with shielding depth, at low depth values, which is found to be much less steep than model predictions. Two slightly different ⁶⁰Co profiles are proposed that correspond to the two specimens studied. The mean preatmospheric radius of the Jilin chondrite is 85 ± 8 cm, the uncertainty reflecting in part the meteoroid surface roughness.