[meteorite-list] Pallasite speculation

From: tracy latimer <daistiho_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:16:36 2004
Message-ID: <Sea2-F69bGU1s4RmUBd00001109_at_hotmail.com>

My two cents worth...
1. I BELIEVE that the metal in pallasites and other stony-iron bodies has a
lower melt temperature than the largely silicate olivine grains.
2. An event that melts(ed) the metallic component of pallasites and
mesosiderites might have little, if any effect on the other components.
3. A group of rapidly spinning metallic bodies might develop localized eddy
currents which could melt or plasticize pockets of nickel-iron (induction
heating). Say, if an impact broke up a largely iron asteroid, but was only
sufficient to impart some angular velocity to the fragments, not drive them
completely out of each others' influence.
4. Would the same rapid spinning be able to force plastic metals into
cracks or joints between olivine crystals, thus forming a pallasite
structure?

As I said, pure speculation (but fun!)
Tracy Latimer

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Received on Mon 25 Aug 2003 05:40:36 PM PDT