[meteorite-list] Micrograph gallery post Lunar crust and Lodranite

From: cdtucson at cox.net <cdtucson_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 10:32:21 -0400
Message-ID: <20100527103221.HAT3T.539588.imail_at_fed1rmwml41>

Tom,
On a serious note with regard to the dendrites found in Lunar fusion crusts.
This is not only amazing to look at but, you may have stumbled upon something of significant importance here.
It has always been a chore to determine whether what appears to be fusion crust is actual fusion crust or perhaps something else.
The choices include Fusion crust, desert varnish and weathering rind to name a few.
In iron meteorites this dendritic texture is proof of melting. Many irons display this texture throughout the entire meteorite again as proof that it was once molten.
Your discovery of this texture found only on the exterior of this lunar meteorite seems to be sufficient proof that only the exterior of this Lunar meteorite actually melted? As you point out that this texture is only seen in the crustal area of the meteorite.
Although this may be an anomaly and may not occur in all fusion crust. One thing may be certain. If it does occur there maybe melting going on. This would be far different than what occurs in the forming of a desert varnish or a weathering rind.
So, in summary. It seems to me this could be a significant aid to our Scientific community in initial determination and analysis of what is going on with respect to fusion crusts. And ultimately add to the proof that the rock was once in space. What else would cause only the exterior portion of a rock to melt? Fusion crust is key in recognizing meteorites and this new discovery may have just made recognition a whole lot easier.
Perhaps all crusts could be checked at this great magnification to see if they too have this texture.
Even if this texture is not always present in crusts at least when it is, there would be no doubt about how it formed and what it is.
This could save valuable microprobe time as it does not cost much money to look at the crust at a high magnification. If it has this texture the Scientist knows he needs to continue to study.
Back in the day. I do know that David Kring would always require that polished thin sections would always include the fusion crust area for observation. So, is this a well kept secret and scientists already look for this?
It would be great to see how often this texture actually does occur in crusts of stony meteorites. I know I have thin sections with crust but, no high power microscope. Tom, perhaps you could lead the charge on this. Maybe start a service to check crusts prior to sending them off to Scientists.
This could weed out at least some of the junk?
Great job Tom.
Carl

--
Carl or Debbie Esparza
Meteoritemax
---- Starsinthedirt at aol.com wrote: 
> Hi List,  Paul (Meteorite Times) has worked  his magic and set up two new 
> articles on my meteorite micrograph  gallery.
> 
> The first is NWA 6075 Lodranite found  at
> 
> http://www.meteorite.com/meteorite-gallery/articles/nwa-6075/
> 
> 
> The  second is a set of very high magnification images of a Lunar crust on 
> NWA  2977.  There really are crystals in this crust!   It can be found  at  
> 
> http://www.meteorite.com/meteorite-gallery/articles/nwa-2977/
> 
> I  previously posted some of these shots on Face Book and some of you may 
> have seen  them but many more have been posted in my gallery.
> 
> Please take a look and  comments are appreciated!
> 
> Tom Phillips  
> 
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Received on Thu 27 May 2010 10:32:21 AM PDT