Abstract
Analyzing the constituents of meteorites has played an important role in forming the contemporary theories of solar system evolution, planets formation, and stellar evolution. Meteorites are often a complex mixture of common rock forming silicates, such as olivines and pyroxenes, with a range of exotic species including hydrated silicates, and in some cases organic compounds. We used Micro-Raman spectroscopy to analyze the compositions of three carbonaceous chondrites: NWA852, Murchison and Allende. Raman spectra were measured using laser sources with different excitation wavelengths: HeNe 633 nm and Nd:YAG 532 nm. We were able to detect 9 minerals in NWA852, 3 minerals in Murchison and 4 minerals in Allende. Some of these minerals like pyrite in NWA852 and magnetite in NWA852 and Murchison provide evidence for potential previous organic life. Other minerals like ringwoodite in Allende and lizardite in NWA852 reveal information about previous astrophysical and geological events experienced by the meteorites. The detection of graphite in the Murchison and Allende reveals information about the microstructure of these meteorites.
Notes
If this is your Honors thesis, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at STARS@ucf.edu
Thesis Completion
2014
Semester
Fall
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Physics
Subjects
Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences; Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic
Format
Identifier
CFH0004710
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus-only Access
1 year
Document Type
Honors in the Major Thesis
Recommended Citation
Habach, Asmail, "Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites" (2014). HIM 1990-2015. 1781.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1781