Cathodoluminescence images of Ordinary
Chondrites
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Cathodoluminescence (CL) mosaics of meteorites and lunar samples provide
information on both structure and mineral or phase composition. Bombardment
of meteorite and lunar thin sections with electrons causes the sample to emit
light in the visible region. The wavelength of the light emitted is
characteristic of the mineral composition. Ordinary chondrites show
gradational changes in their CL properties in accordance with thermal
metamorphism. Parent body metamorphism equilibrates mineral compositions
resulting in lowered CL intensity.
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Below is the metamorphic
sequence of CL images for type 3.0-3.9 ordinary chondrites. (Warning: These
images may take a few minutes to load.) |
The arrangement is based upon increasing
petrologic type. The horizontal field of view in each case is 0.55 cm. Click on meteorite name for larger
image. Sixty of our CL images of
meteorites and lunar samples have been published on-line by the Journal of
Geophysical Research:
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Akridge, D. G.; Akridge,
J. M. C.; Batchelor, J. D.; Benoit, P. H.; Brewer,
J.; DeHart, J. M.; Keck, B. D.; Jie,
Lu; Meier, A.; Penrose, M.; Schneider, D. M.; Sears, D. W. G.; Symes, S. J. K.; Yanhong, Zhang
(2004) Photomosaics
of the cathodoluminescence of 60 sections of
meteorites and lunar samples. Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 109, Issue E7, CiteID E07S03. (Click here for publication)
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