Space Rocks Tell Their Secrets

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Space Rocks Tell Their Secrets
Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science
(ARES) NASA Johnson Space Center March 29,
2003
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Antarctic Meteorite Program

• NSF-led field teams recover hundreds of
  meteorites each year
• Meteorites are sent to a cleanroom at NASA JSC
  for description and distribution

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Meteorite Processing Lab
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Nitrogen Glove Box Cabinet
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Microscope View Port
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Laminar Flow Bench
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Describing Meteorites

• Photograph, weigh and measure
• Describe exterior color, texture
• Break open describe interior
• Magnify - describe minerals, texture

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Meteorite Exterior
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Meteorite Interior
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Meteorite Magnified
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Meteorite Thin Section
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Classifying Meteorites

• Stony
• Chondrite
• Achondrite
• Iron
• Stony Iron

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Chondrite Meteorite
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Achondrite Meteorite
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Iron Meteorite
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Stony Iron Meteorite
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Electron Microbeam Labs

• Use electron beams to produce x-rays
• Image and map minerals
• Analyze mineral compositions

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Electron Microprobe Lab
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Element Scan
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X-Ray Spectrum
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Scanning Electron Microscope
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SEM Image
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Transmission Electron Microscope
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Classifying Achondrite Basalts

• Basalts common in inner solar system
• All made mostly of pyroxene, plagioclase
• Minor minerals vary
• Mineral compositions used to classify

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Asteroid Basalt
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Lunar Basalt
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Martian Basalt
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Mass Spectrometry Labs

• Use magnets to separate isotopes of an element
• Use radioactive isotopes to date ages of rocks
• Use stable isotopes to identify parent bodies

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Thermal Ionization Lab
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Rb/Sr Isochron
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Noble Gas Lab
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Atmospheric Gases
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Stable Isotope Lab
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Oxygen Isotopes
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Meteorite Parent Bodies
Lunar Mare Basalt
Asteroid Vesta and Basaltic Achondrite (Eucrite)
Martian Basaltic Shergottite