[meteorite-list] Russian Scientists Reveal Minerals Contained in Chebarkul Meteorite

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2013 15:21:22 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201303012321.r21NLMuZ018063_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://rbth.ru/news/2013/03/01/russian_scientists_revealed_minerals_contained_in_chebarkul_meteorite_23412.html

Russian scientists revealed minerals contained in Chebarkul meteorite
Interfax News Agency
March 1, 2013

Experts from the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Russian
Academy of Sciences have studied two pieces of the meteor that exploded
over Chelyabinsk on Feb. 15.

The studies have determined that the main minerals of the pieces are the
silicates olivine and orthopyroxene.

The pieces also contain ferric sulphide, nickel sulphide, native metals
such as nickel meteor iron (kamacite and taenite), chromite,
clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and feldspathic glass.

"The geologists said there is a probability that some iron phosphide may
have been found among the elements. The scientists also said they have
received information on the presence of volatile components in the
meteor," the report says.

This tentative information is very significant for the reconstruction of
the early stages of development of the solar system. It is believed that
meteors are the substance of which planets were formed, the report says.

The meteor pieces were forwarded to the experts by teachers from
Novosibirsk who were in the village of Emanzhelinka, Chelyabinsk region,
when the meteor landed.

According to earlier reports, a meteor exploded over the Chelyabinsk
region on Feb. 15. The shock wave broke windows in buildings and destroyed
the roof of buildings, both residential and industrial. Over 1,200 people
were injured and the total damage done by the accident is estimated at some 1
billion. Experts believe this accident was impossible to predict.
Received on Fri 01 Mar 2013 06:21:22 PM PST