Physical Property Comparison of Ordinary Chondrite Classes
Abstract
Measurements of the physical properties of meteorites are essential in helping to determine the physical characteristics of the parent asteroids. Studying of physical properties can provide fundamental information to understand meteoroid behavior in the atmosphere and determine methods to deflect potentially hazardous asteroids. Initial focus of our study is on ordinary chondrites, since they are over 70% of the meteorites.To date we have measured the density (bulk and grain), porosity, thermal emissivity, and acoustic velocity of 7 ordinary chondrites (Tamdakht, Chelyabinsk, and multiple Antarctic meteorites). Each meteorite is first scanned using a 3D laser scanner to determine bulk density. For the other tests 1.5cm cubes are studied. Grain density is determined using gas pycnometer using nitrogen gas. Acoustic velocity, longitudinal and shear wave, are measured using an Olympus 45-MG in single element mode. Thermal emissivity is measured from 20°C up to atmospheric entry temperatures, and is based on average measurements over the wavelength range of 8 to 14μm.Tamdakht's bulk density is that of an average H Chondrite (3-4 g/cm3), while it has a low longitudinal velocity of 3540 m/s compared to the normal rage for H chondrites at 3529-6660 m/s. The velocity is consistent across all three axes in the sample. One possibility is an internal fracture, where part of has been seen on the surface of one of the test cubes. Chelyabinsk and the studied Antarctic meteorites have lower bulk and higher grain densities yielding above average porosities. Tamdakht is on the high end of the emissivity range for H chondrites and Chelyabinsk is on the high end for LL chondrites. Emissivity ranges from 0.985-0.995 at 20°C for the ordinary chondrites studied. Heated samples emissivity decreases slightly, 0.045, from initial 20°C measurement. Between 40-200°C, the emissivity stays fairly constant after decrease from room temperature. BTN 00304 has the highest average over the temperature range, while ALHA77294 has the lowest average.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #48
- Pub Date:
- October 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016DPS....4832004O