Buddha from space—An ancient object of art made of a Chinga iron meteorite fragment*

Abstract– The fall of meteorites has been interpreted as divine messages by multitudinous cultures since prehistoric times, and meteorites are still adored as heavenly bodies. Stony meteorites were used to carve birds and other works of art; jewelry and knifes were produced of meteoritic iron for instance by the Inuit society. We here present an approximately 10.6 kg Buddhist sculpture (the “iron man”) made of an iron meteorite, which represents a particularity in religious art and meteorite science. The specific contents of the crucial main (Fe, Ni, Co) and trace (Cr, Ga, Ge) elements indicate an ataxitic iron meteorite with high Ni contents (approximately 16 wt%) and Co (approximately 0.6 wt%) that was used to produce the artifact. In addition, the platinum group elements (PGEs), as well as the internal PGE ratios, exhibit a meteoritic signature. The geochemical data of the meteorite generally match the element values known from fragments of the Chinga ataxite (ungrouped iron) meteorite strewn field discovered in 1913. The provenance of the meteorite as well as of the piece of art strongly points to the border region of eastern Siberia and Mongolia, accordingly. The sculpture possibly portrays the Buddhist god Vai?ravana and might originate in the Bon culture of the eleventh century. However, the ethnological and art historical details of the “iron man” sculpture, as well as the timing of the sculpturing, currently remain speculative.     

TWO NEW IRON METEORITES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Two new iron meteorites from Western Australia are described: Cosmo Newberry — a 2.156 kg meteorite of unusual spiky shape, and Gnowangerup — a 33.6 kg pear-shaped meteorite. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry shows that Cosmo Newberry can be classified in Group IIA, whilst Gnowangerup is a member of Group IIIAB. Neither iron can be associated with any other Western Australian meteorite.     

PLASMA CHEMISTRY OF METEORITES—I. CLEANSING AND REDUCTION OF THE ODESSA IRON METEORITE

Three small samples of the Odessa, Texas iron meteorite, two surrounded by sandy soil, were introduced into a hydrogen plasma. The soil was effectively cleansed from the iron surfaces, being substantially destroyed with only a fine dust remaining. The appearance of the iron meteorite samples indicated that the terrestrial oxidation was reversed, probably to magnetite, Fe₃O₄, and metallic iron.     

An investigation of the behavior of Cu and Cr during iron meteorite crystallization

Abstract— The measured Cu and Cr contents in magmatic iron meteorites appear to contradict the behavior predicted by experimental fractional crystallization studies currently available. To investigate the origin of Cu and Cr concentrations observed in these meteorites, a thorough set of solid metal/liquid metal experiments were conducted in the Fe‐Ni‐S system. In addition to Cu and Cr, partitioning values were also determined for As, Au, Bi, Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sn, V, and Zn from the experiments. Experimental results for Cu and Cr showed similar chalcophile partitioning behavior, whereas these elements have differently sloped trends within magmatic iron meteorite groups. Thus, fractional crystallization alone cannot control both the Cu and Cr concentrations in these iron meteorite groups. A simple fractional crystallization model based on our experimental Cu partitioning results was able to match the Cu versus Au trend observed in the S‐poor IVB iron meteorite group but not the decreasing Cu versus Au trends in the IIAB and IIIAB groups or the unique S‐shaped Cu versus Au trend in the IVA group. However, the crystallization model calculations were found to be very sensitive to the specific choice for the mathematical expression of D(Cu), suggesting that any future refinement of the parameterization of D(Cu) should include a reassessment of the Cu fractional crystallization trends. The Cr versus Au trends in magmatic iron meteorite groups are steeper than those of Cu and not explained by fractional crystallization. Other influences, such as the removal of chromite from the crystallizing system or sampling biases during iron meteorite compositional analyses, are likely responsible for the Cr trends in magmatic iron meteorite groups.     

Analysis of a prehistoric Egyptian iron bead with implications for the use and perception of meteorite iron in ancient Egypt

Tube‐shaped beads excavated from grave pits at the prehistoric Gerzeh cemetery, approximately 3300 BCE, represent the earliest known use of iron in Egypt. Using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and micro X‐ray microcomputer tomography, we show that microstructural and chemical analysis of a Gerzeh iron bead is consistent with a cold‐worked iron meteorite. Thin fragments of parallel bands of taenite within a meteoritic Widmanstätten pattern are present, with structural distortion caused by cold‐working. The metal fragments retain their original chemistry of approximately 30 wt% nickel. The bulk of the bead is highly oxidized, with only approximately 2.4% of the total bead volume remaining as metal. Our results show that the first known example of the use of iron in Egypt was produced from a meteorite, its celestial origin having implications for both the perception of meteorite iron by ancient Egyptians and the development of metallurgical knowledge in the Nile Valley.     

The Tianlin meteorite

Abstract Chemical data are reported for the Tianlin iron meteorite from south China. The meteorite is classified as a coarse octahedrite of group IA with complete decomposition of cohenite to ferrite and graphite.     

ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION OF IRON METEORITES

Six iron meteorites were electrolyzed and the resulting corrosion was studied by a potentiostatic technique. It was found that both iron and nickel in the kamacite phase dissolve, and that neither iron nor nickel dissolve from taenite. The rate of corrosion was shown to be inversely proportional to the nickel content. However, structure, as well as nickel content, plays an important part in the electrolytic process. The Coya Norte, Chile meteorite dissolved more rapidly and more easily (at a lower potential) than did pure iron even though the Coya Norte meteorite contains 5.5% nickel.     

Mineral and chemical composition of the new iron meteorite Javorje from Slovenia

Abstract– The single‐piece iron meteorite Javorje, with a mass of 4920 g, is the heaviest and largest meteorite found in the territory of Slovenia. The meteorite Javorje is a medium octahedrite with kamacite bandwidth of 0.85 ± 0.26 mm. The bulk composition of Ni (7.83 wt%), Co (0.48 wt%) and trace elements Ga (25 μg/g), Ge (47 μg/g), Ir (7.6 μg/g), As (5.8 μg/g), Au (0.47 μg/g), and Pt (13.4 μg/g) indicates that the meteorite Javorje belongs to the chemical group IIIAB. Mineral and bulk chemical compositions are consistent with other reported group IIIAB meteorites. The presence of numerous rhabdites, carlsbergite, sparse troilite, and chromite and abundance of daubréelites are in accordance with low‐Ni and low‐P IIIAB iron meteorites. The severely weathered surface and secondary weathering products in the interior of the meteorite suggest its high terrestrial age.     

The Lueders,Texas, IAB iron meteorite with silicate inclusions

Abstract The Lueders iron meteorite with silicate inclusions was recovered as a single specimen of ～35.4 kg in Shackelford County, Texas, in 1973 and recognized as a meteorite in 1993. Siderophile element concentrations indicate chemical classification as a low-Ni IAB iron meteorite closely related to Landes; like Landes, it has a Cu content ～4σ above the main IAB-IIICD trend and therefore we also designate Lueders as an anomalous member of IAB. The metallic host is composed of equigranular kamacite but with a suggestion of octahedral structure and with a bandwidth of 1.4 mm, suggesting structural classification as a coarse octahedrite (Og). The meteorite contains ～23 wt% of roughly millimeter to centimeter-sized angular silicate inclusions. Classification as a IAB is confirmed by O isotopic analysis of silicate inclusions. These inclusions contain an assemblage rich in silicates, troilite and graphite; lack certain minor phases (e.g., daubreelite); and have angular shapes. A variety of processes (e.g., fragmentation, partial melting, reduction) appear to have played a significant role in the formation of Lueders and all IAB iron meteorites. Petrologic and chemical differences confirm that Lueders is not paired with the widely distributed Odessa meteorite.     

A NEW SPECIMEN OF THE MOUNT DOOLING IRON METEORITE FROM MOUNT MANNING,WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A 701 kg iron meteorite has recently been discovered near the Mount Manning Range in Western Australia. The meteorite has a fan-shaped or delta wing configuration, one side being smooth and slightly concave with a well-defined fusion crust, whilst the other side is rough, convex and possesses numerous regmaglypts. It is probable that the meteorite pentrated much of the earth's atmosphere in an aerodynamically stable orientation, typical of the stalled attitude of delta wing aircraft. The meteorite is a member of Chemical Group 1C. A comparison of the chemical composition, surface features, microstructure and location of this meteorite with the Mount Dooling meteorite confirms that the find is a larger specimen of Mount Dooling. It is possible that other fragments of the Mount Dooling meteorite may be found in the Mount Manning Range region.     

The abundance and isotopic composition of Cd in iron meteorites

Cadmium is a highly volatile element and its abundance in meteorites may help better understand volatility‐controlled processes in the solar nebula and on meteorite parent bodies. The large thermal neutron capture cross section of ¹¹³Cd suggests that Cd isotopes might be well suited to quantify neutron fluences in extraterrestrial materials. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the range and magnitude of Cd concentrations in magmatic iron meteorites, and (2) to assess the potential of Cd isotopes as a neutron dosimeter for iron meteorites. Our new Cd concentration data determined by isotope dilution demonstrate that Cd concentrations in iron meteorites are significantly lower than in some previous studies. In contrast to large systematic variations in the concentration of moderately volatile elements like Ga and Ge, there is neither systematic variation in Cd concentration amongst troilites, nor amongst metal phases of different iron meteorite groups. Instead, Cd is strongly depleted in all iron meteorite groups, implying that the parent bodies accreted well above the condensation temperature of Cd (i.e., ≈650 K) and thus incorporated only minimal amounts of highly volatile elements. No Cd isotope anomalies were found, whereas Pt and W isotope anomalies for the same iron meteorite samples indicate a significant fluence of epithermal and higher energetic neutrons. This observation demonstrates that owing to the high Fe concentrations in iron meteorites, neutron capture mainly occurs at epithermal and higher energies. The combined Cd‐Pt‐W isotope results from this study thus demonstrate that the relative magnitude of neutron capture‐induced isotope anomalies is strongly affected by the chemical composition of the irradiated material. The resulting low fluence of thermal neutrons in iron meteorites and their very low Cd concentrations make Cd isotopes unsuitable as a neutron dosimeter for iron meteorites.     

Evolution of molten material in iron cores of small planets

A parent body of the Lovina meteorite underwent processes which yielded dentritic structures of taenite in phosphide-sulfide-metal matrix unusual for iron meteorites. Similar dendritic structures can be found also in IIE meteorites as microinclusions but are unknown in other iron meteorites. The similarity between dendritic structures in the Lovina meteorite and metal-phosphide inclusions in IIE iron meteorites implies similar processes which led to their crystallization from molten materials in chambers of various sizes. Studying physical and chemical crystallization parameters of metal-phosphide inclusions in the Elga meteorite (IIE) makes it feasible to estimate the p-T conditions required for the unique Lovina meteorite to have formed. It is shown that dendrites in the Lovina meteorite may have been crystallized from molten materials close in composition to P-FeNi and P-S-FeNi that are produced when phosphides and sulfides melt locally in metals as a result of impact events with subsequent fast cooling. The temperature of homogeneous melting is likely to have been more than 1450°C, and the starting temperature of crystallization of such molten materials is estimated to have been between 1050 and 1150°C. The cooling rate of inclusions can be estimated to be 10⁻³ °C s⁻¹, based on the structural and chemical concordance between samples obtained experimentally (Chabot et al., 2000) and metal-phosphide inclusions (P-FeNi and P-S-FeNi) in the Elga meteorite. Large-sized dendrites in the Lovina meteorite imply cooling rates that are considerably less than 10⁻³ °C s⁻¹.     

THE METEORITE CRATERS OF MORASKO IN POLAND

In 1914, in Morasko near Poznań, a 77.5 kg iron meteorite was found. Later there were additional findings. In 1955 seven crater-like structures, situated in the neighborhood of the meteorite finds, were identified. Until now it has been doubtful whether the iron meteorites and the craters belong together. New examinations by the author confirm beyond any doubt that the meteorites and the craters were caused by the same event.     

Weathering in Antarctic H and CR chondrites: Quantitative analysis through Mössbauer spectroscopy

Abstract— Mössbauer spectroscopy is a very useful tool for identifying ferric iron weathering products in meteorites because of the capability to quantify the relative amounts of ferric iron in them. Mössbauer measurements were made of 33 Antarctic H chondrites (predominately H5) and two paired Antarctic CR chondrites. The primary goals of this study are to determine if Mössbauer spectroscopy can be used to determine which phases are weathering in Antarctic meteorites and if the relative amounts of ferric iron correlate with terrestrial age. Determining which minerals are weathering in ordinary chondrites appears very difficult due to variations in composition for different ordinary chondrites of the same meteorite class and possible problems in preparing homogeneous samples. The analysis of the two paired CR chondrites appears to indicate that metallic iron is predominately weathering to produce ferric iron for this class of meteorite. No correlation is seen between the relative amounts of ferric iron and terrestrial age for ordinary chondrites. One Antarctic H5 chondrite (ALHA77294) with a short ¹⁴C age of 135 ± 200 years from the dating of interior carbonate weathering products does have a relatively low amount of ferric iron, which is consistent with this meteorite being exposed on the surface for a relatively short time.     

Formation of a small impact structure discovered within the Agoudal meteorite strewn field,Morocco

A relic impact structure was recognized within the strewn field of the Agoudal iron meteorite. The heavily eroded structure has preserved shatter cones in a limestone basement, and remnants of autochthonous and allochthonous breccias. Fragments of iron incorporated into the allochthonous breccia have a chemical composition (Ni = 5.16 wt%, Ir = 0.019 ppm) similar to that of the Agoudal meteorite, supporting a syngenetic origin of the strewn field and the impact structure. The total recovered mass of Agoudal meteorite fragments is estimated at approximately 500 kg. The estimated size of the SE–NW‐oriented strewn field is 6 × 2 km. Model calculations with minimal preatmospheric size show that a similar meteorite strewn field plus one small crater with observed shock effects could be formed by fragmentation of a meteoroid approximately 1.4 m in diameter with an impact angle of approximately 60° from the horizontal. However, the most probable is an impact of a larger, 3–4 m diameter meteoroid, resulting a strewn field with approximately 10 craters, 10–30 m in diameter each, plus numerous meteorite fragments. The calculated scattering area of meteorite shrapnel ejected from these impact craters could completely cover the observed strewn field of the Agoudal meteorite.     

Oral histories in meteoritics and planetary science—XXV: Vagn F. Buchwald

Vagn Buchwald (Fig.  1 ) was born in Copenhagen where he attended school and college. Then after 18 months of military service, he assumed a position at the Technical University of Copenhagen. A few years later, he was presented with a piece of the Cape York meteorite, which led to an interest in iron meteorites. Through a campaign of informed searching, Vagn found the 20 ton Agpalilik meteorite (part of the Cape York shower) on 31st July 1963 and by September 1967 had arranged its transport to Copenhagen. After sorting and describing the Danish collection, which included application of the Fe‐Ni‐P phase diagram to iron meteorite mineralogy, Vagn was invited to sort and describe other iron meteorite collections. This led to a 7 yr project to write his monumental Handbook of Iron Meteorites. Vagn spent 3 yr in the United States and visited most of the world's museums, the visit to Berlin being especially important since the war had left their iron meteorites in bad condition and without labels. During a further decade or more of iron meteorite research, he documented natural and anthropomorphic alterations experienced by iron meteorites, discovered five new minerals (roaldite, carlsbergite, akaganeite, hibbingite, and arupite); had a mineral (buchwaldite, NaCaPO₄) and asteroid (3209 Buchwald 1982 BL1) named after him; and led expeditions to Chile, Namibia, and South Africa in search of iron meteorites and information on them. Vagn then turned his attention to archeological metal artifacts. This work resulted in many papers and culminated in two major books on the subject published in 2005 and 2008, after his retirement in 1998. Vagn Buchwald has received numerous Scandinavian awards and honors, and served as president of the Meteoritical Society in 1981–1982.     

The Anoka,Minnesota, Iron Meteorite*

Abstract The Anoka, Minnesota, meteorite was found on the Joe Fields Farm at location coordinates 45° 12′ N, 93° 26′ W. It is a fine octahedrite distinguished by large fields of dense plessite. The chemical analysis of the meteorite is 84.9 percent iron, 11.75 nickel and 0.51 cobalt.     

MINERALOGY,PETROLOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF THE MESSINA (ITALY) CHONDRITE

The meteorite which fell near Messina, Italy, on 16 July 1955 is a typical olivine-hypersthene (L-group) chondrite. Its mineralogical composition is: olivine (Fa24), orthopyroxene (Fs20) with some polysynthetically twinned clynopyroxene, plagioclase (An10) and merrillite. Opaque phases present are: copper, kamacite, taenite, plessite, chalcopyrrhotite, mackinawite, troilite and chromite. The stone contains abundant chondrules. The matrix consists chiefly of broken chondrules with tiny fragments of crystals and rare amorphous material. Chondrules form more than 42% of the meteorite by volume. Some unusual features of the fabric of this meteorite include silicate grains showing deformation; silicates with fusion spots of dark glass containing blebs of metallic iron; iron and troilite with marginal fusion yielding globules and droplets sometimes showing flow structures. The classification of this chondrite is confirmed by bulk chemical analysis.     

A New Octahedrite from South Africa

Abstract Examination of an iron meteorite found in South Africa discloses it to be a coarse octahedrite containing 6.90 weight-percent nickel. The meteorite body contains several inclusions of troilite, or troilite plus graphite, and at least one of pure graphite veined with kamacite. Kamacite, cohenite, and phosphides are the other major constituents of the structure.     

New insights into the mineralogy and weathering of the Meridiani Planum meteorite,Mars

Meridiani Planum is the first officially recognized meteorite find on the surface of Mars. It was discovered at and named after the landing site of the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. Based on its composition, it was classified as a IAB complex iron meteorite. Mössbauer spectra obtained by Opportunity are dominated by kamacite (α‐Fe‐Ni) and exhibit a small contribution of ferric oxide. Several small features in the spectra have been neglected to date. To shed more light on these features, five iron meteorite specimens were investigated as analogs to Meridiani Planum with a laboratory Mössbauer setup. Measurements were performed on (1) their metallic bulk, (2) troilite (FeS) inclusions, (3) cohenite ((Fe,Ni,Co)₃C) and schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)₃P), and (4) corroded rims. In addition to these room‐temperature measurements, a specimen from the Mundrabilla IAB‐ungrouped meteorite was measured at Mars‐equivalent temperatures. Based on these measurements, the features in Meridiani Planum spectra can be explained with the presence of small amounts of schreibersite and/or cohenite and iron oxides. The iron oxides can be attributed to a previously reported coating on Meridiani Planum. Their presence indicates weathering through the interaction of the meteorite with small amounts of water.