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Chondrules in Antarctic micrometeorites
Author(s) -
Genge M. J.,
Gileski A.,
Grady M. M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
meteoritics and planetary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 1086-9379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.2005.tb00377.x
Subject(s) - chondrule , chondrite , meteorite , astrobiology , igneous rock , geology , parent body , geochemistry , chemistry , physics
— Previous studies of unmelted micrometeorites (>50 μm) recovered from Antarctic ice have concluded that chondrules, which are a major component of chondritic meteorites, are extremely rare among micrometeorites. We report the discovery of eight micrometeorites containing chondritic igneous objects, which strongly suggests that at least a portion of coarse‐grained crystalline micrometeorites represent chondrule fragments. Six of the particles are identified as composite micrometeorites that contain chondritic igneous objects and fine‐grained matrix. These particles suggest that at least some coarse‐grained micrometeorites (cgMMs) may be derived from the same parent bodies as fine‐grained micrometeorites. The new evidence indicates that, contrary to previous suggestions, the parent bodies of micrometeorites broadly resemble the parent asteroids of chondrulebearing carbonaceous chondrites.