[meteorite-list] Meteorite Micrographs: The Perfect Chondrule?

From: Mike Groetz <mpg444_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 09:36:40 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <675408.42156.qm_at_web32902.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page2037.html?theme=light

My wife, Ginny Phillips has submitted some meteorite
micrographs in the past that have been used (here &
here). I thought you might get a kick out of these. I
was surprised to see the level of interest and
knowledge in the Coast to Coast audience. A lot of
cool emails!

Way back at the beginning of time (at least for our
solar system) particles of space dust were forming in
tiny balls, these balls formed larger masses which
eventually combined to form planets. I think you could
say that was the short version of the story!

Any way, meteorite rock (most stone meteorites) is
made up of these hardened balls of dust called
chondrules. The type class is based on the condition
and abundance of these chondrules. Heat and shock
alteration has erased evidence of chondrules to some
degree in all meteorites. I like to look for
chondrules that stand out from their matrix as
different and look (at least visually) to be altered
very little.

These images are of two of these chondrules polished
to 1/4 micron and viewed in reflected light and in
their natural color. This may be as close as we can
get to actually look at the dust balls that eventually
built our planet.

--Tom Phillips
starsandscopes at aol.com
meteorite.com/meteorite-gallery



 
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Received on Fri 18 May 2007 12:36:40 PM PDT