Title

Density, magnetic susceptibility, and the characterization of ordinary chondrite falls and showers

Authors

Authors

Sjgj Consolmagno; Sjrj Macke; P. Rochette; D. T. Britt;J. Gattacceca

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Meteorit. Planet. Sci.

Keywords

STONY METEORITES; CLASSIFICATION; POROSITIES; Geochemistry & Geophysics

Abstract

Bulk and grain densities of 132 ordinary chondrites from the Vatican Observatory collection were measured and compared with their magnetic susceptibility (for the most part using previously measured values; ten new Susceptibility measures were taken for this Study). Grain density and magnetic susceptibility combined provide a reliable method of classifying unweathered ordinary chondrites. Unlike traditional chemical tests, this method is fast, nondestructive, and characterizes the whole rock, making it especially appropriate for surveying large collections. The system is less viable for finds; extensive weathering of metallic Iron in an H chondrite can cause it to plot among L chondrites, while heavily weathered L chondrites plot among the LL group. This system has revealed outlier stories that may be misclassified meteorites or mislabeled samples; in every case where the magnetic Susceptibility of a meteorite does not fit its Putative classification, the grain density is also found to be in disagreement in a manner consistent with either severe weathering or misidentification. An analysis of stories from Five showers shows that, excluding outliers, these samples tend to Cluster tightly within their appropriate groups in a plot of grain versus magnetic susceptibility.

Journal Title

Meteoritics & Planetary Science

Volume

41

Issue/Number

3

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

331

Last Page

342

WOS Identifier

WOS:000236603000001

ISSN

1086-9379

Share

COinS