Characterization of a newly fallen Nigerian meteorite

Abbasher Gismelssed*, Olugbenga Okunlola, Ahmed Al-Rawas, Ali Yousif, Matthew Oyedokun, Jacob Adetunji, Hisham Widatallah, Mohamed Elzai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fields Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) with EDS and Mössbauer Spectroscopy (MS), were applied to investigate a newly fallen solid piece of debris named the Aba Panu meteorite, after a city in south western Nigeria (Lat: N 08° 14′ 25.7″ and Long: E 003° 33′ 47.0″). Matching X-ray diffraction results, together with the FE-SEM analysis confirms the presence of four kinds of iron-bearing minerals, namely olivine, pyroxene, kamacite (Fe-Ni alloys) and troilite (FeS). The Mössbauer spectra recorded at 295 K and 78 K consist of two strong paramagnetic doublets emanating from olivine of quadrupole splitting 2.9 mm/s and pyroxene of quadrupole splitting 2.1 mm/s. These are superimposed on two magnetic sub-spectra attributed to kamacite and troilite phases. From the Mössbauer sub-spectra absorption area, the ratio of the olivine absorption area to the pyroxene absorption area indicates that the meteorite can be classified as an L-ordinary chondrite. The mole fraction of the Fe end-member of olivine (fayalite) and the orthopyroxene (ferrosilite) calculated from the EDS data will be used to identify the petrographic type of the meteorite.

Original languageEnglish
Article number22
JournalHyperfine Interactions
Volume241
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1 2020

Keywords

  • FE-SEM
  • Kamacite
  • Meteorites
  • Mössbauer
  • Ordinary chondrite
  • Petrologic type

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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