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The primordial magnetic field preserved in chondrules of the Allende meteorite
Author(s) -
Lanoix M.,
Strangway D. W.,
Pearce G. W.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl005i001p00073
Subject(s) - allende meteorite , chondrule , meteorite , troilite , astrobiology , geology , chondrite , formation and evolution of the solar system , geochemistry , physics
We have studied individual chondrules from the Allende meteorite in an effort to determine the ancient magnetic field present when the chondrules formed. An unusual magnetic property of iron‐rich metal at 130°C has made it difficult to use low temperatures for paleointensity studies on samples of the whole Allende meteorite. Furthermore, an unusual property at about 300°C (probably due to troilite which becomes antiferro‐magnetic at about 320°C) makes it difficult to determine paleointensities below the temperature. Nevertheless, between 350°C and 550°C, several chondrules from the Allende meteorite behave very well and give ancient field values as high as 16 oersteds. It is possible that this reflects the field present in the early solar nebula when the chondrules formed shortly before the Allende meteorite itself was formed.