A gamma-ray spectroscopy survey of Omani meteorites
| Autor: | Jean-Luc Vuilleumier, Beda A. Hofmann, Tamer Tolba, Patrick Weber |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP)
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Meteoroid 530 Physics 520 Astronomy Howardite Geochemistry Thorium chemistry.chemical_element FOS: Physical sciences Weathering Mars Exploration Program 010502 geochemistry & geophysics 01 natural sciences Strewn field Geophysics chemistry Meteorite Space and Planetary Science Chondrite 550 Earth sciences & geology Environmental science 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics |
| DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.1602.00915 |
| Popis: | The gamma-ray activities of 33 meteorite samples (30 ordinary chondrites, 1 Mars meteorite, 1 iron, 1 howardite) collected during Omani-Swiss meteorite search campaigns 2001–2008 were nondestructively measured using an ultralow background gamma-ray detector. The results provide several types of information: Potassium and thorium concentrations were found to range within typical values for the meteorite types. Similar mean 26Al activities in groups of ordinary chondrites with (1) weathering degrees W0-1 and low 14C terrestrial age and (2) weathering degree W3-4 and high 14C terrestrial age are mostly consistent with activities observed in recent falls. The older group shows no significant depletion in 26Al. Among the least weathered samples, one meteorite (SaU 424) was found to contain detectable 22Na identifying it as a recent fall close to the year 2000. Based on an estimate of the surface area searched, the corresponding fall rate is ~120 events/106 km2*a, consistent with other estimations. Twelve samples from the large JaH 091 strewn field (total mass ~4.5 t) show significant variations of 26Al activities, including the highest values measured, consistent with a meteoroid radius of ~115 cm. Activities of 238U daughter elements demonstrate terrestrial contamination with 226Ra and possible loss of 222Rn. Recent contamination with small amounts of 137Cs is ubiquitous. We conclude that gamma-ray spectroscopy of a selection of meteorites with low degrees of weathering is particularly useful to detect recent falls among meteorites collected in hot deserts. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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