PLASMA CHEMISTRY OF METEORITES—I. CLEANSING AND REDUCTION OF THE ODESSA IRON METEORITE

Three small samples of the Odessa, Texas iron meteorite, two surrounded by sandy soil, were introduced into a hydrogen plasma. The soil was effectively cleansed from the iron surfaces, being substantially destroyed with only a fine dust remaining. The appearance of the iron meteorite samples indicated that the terrestrial oxidation was reversed, probably to magnetite, Fe₃O₄, and metallic iron.