Thermal shock fragmentation of Mg silicates within scoriaceous micrometeorites reveal hydrated asteroidal sources

Scoriaceous micrometeorites are highly vesicular extraterrestrial dust particles that have experienced partial melting during atmospheric entry. We report the occurrence of clusters of anhedral relict forsterite crystals within these particles that testify to in situ fragmentation. The absence of similar clusters within unmelted micrometeorites suggests that fragmentation occurs during atmospheric entry rather than by parent body shock reprocessing. Clusters of broken forsterite crystals are shown to form as a result of fracturing owing to thermal stress developed during entry heating and require thermal gradients of >200 K µm–1 in order for differential thermal expansion to exceed the critical shear strength of olivine. Thermal gradients of this magnitude significantly exceed those resulting from thermal conduction and require the endothermic decomposition of phyllosilicates. Fragmented relict forsterite within scoriaceous micrometeorites, therefore, indicate that the precursor grains were similar to CI and CM2 chondrites and retained phyllosilicate prior to atmospheric entry and thus were not dehydrated on the parent asteroid by shock or thermal metamorphism. Explosive fragmentation of hydrous asteroids during collisions, therefore, does not significantly bias the interplanetary dust population

Micrometeorites: Insights into the flux, sources and atmospheric entry of extraterrestrial dust at Earth

Micrometeorites (MMs) provide constraints on the flux and sources of extraterrestrial dust falling on Earth as well as recording the processes occurring during atmospheric entry. Collections of micrometeorites have been recovered from a wide variety of environments including Antarctic moraine, rock traps, ice and snow and on roof tops in urban areas. Studies of the mineralogy and composition of MMs suggest that most particles (>98%) >50 ​μm in diameter have asteroidal sources, whilst ~50% of particles smaller than 50 ​μm are likely to be derived from comets. The relative abundance of S(IV)-type asteroid materials, similar to ordinary chondrites increases with size, although C-type asteroidal materials, similar to carbonaceous chondrites dominate over all. Although MMs provide excellent evidence on the nature and abundance of extraterrestrial dust at the Earth’s orbit they are not without bias and uncertainty. Mineralogical and compositional change during atmospheric entry makes the exact nature of their precursors uncertain complicating evaluation of source beyond basic classes of material. This is particularly true at larger sizes when complete melting to form cosmic spherules occurs, however, unmelted MMs >50 ​μm in size are also often thermally altered. Mixing with atmospheric oxygen and mass fractionation by evaporation furthermore complicates the use of oxygen isotope compositions in identifying parent bodies. All MM collections are suggested to exhibit biases owing to: (1) collection method, (2) terrestrial weathering, (3) terrestrial contamination, and (4) erosion and deposition by terrestrial surface processes. Even in the least biased collections, those collected by dedicated melting of Antarctic snow, erosive loss of material is suggested here to make fluxes uncertain by factors of up to ~2. The abundance of asteroid-derived MMs observed in collections contradicts models of the orbital evolution of interplanetary dust to Earth, which suggests >70% should be provided by comets

Characterization of achondritic cosmic spherules from the Widerøefjellet micrometeorite collection (Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica)

Achondritic micrometeorites represent one of the rarest (ca. 0.5–2.1%) particle types among Antarctic micrometeorite collections. Here, we present major, trace element and oxygen isotope compositions on five vitreous, achondritic cosmic spherules (341–526 µm in size) recovered from the Widerøefjellet sedimentary trap in the Sør Rondane Mountains (SRMs) of East Antarctica. We also present the first iron isotope data for four of these achondritic cosmic spherules. The particles were initially identified based on the atomic concentrations of Fe-Mg-Mn and their distribution in Fe/Mg versus Fe/Mn space, spanning a relatively wide range in Fe/Mg ratios (ca. 0.48–1.72). The Fe/Mn ratios cover a more restricted range (22.4–31.7), comparable to or slightly below the values measured for howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) and martian meteorites. One particle (WF1801-AC3) displays an elevated Fe/Mn ratio of ∼78, comparable to the values determined for lunar rocks. The negative correlation observed between the CaO + Al2O3 contents and the Fe/Si ratios of achondritic spherules reflects both the mineralogy of the precursor materials, as well as the extent of volatilization experienced during atmospheric entry heating. This trend suggests that the primary mineralogy of precursor materials may have been compositionally similar to basaltic achondrites. Based on their distribution in Ca/Si versus Al/Si space, we argue that the majority of achondritic cosmic spherules predominantly sample pyroxene- and/or plagioclase-rich (i.e., basaltic) precursor bodies. Such precursor mineralogy is also inferred from their rare earth element (REE) patterns, which show resemblances to fine-grained basaltic eucrites or Type 1 achondritic spherules (n = 3 – av. REEN = 11.2–15.5, (La/Yb)N = 0.93–1.21), pigeonite-rich equilibrated eucrite precursors or Type 2 achondritic spherules (n = 1 – av. REEN = 27.9, (La/Yb)N = 0.10), and possibly Ca-phosphates from (primitive) achondritic bodies (n = 1 – av. REEN = 58.8, (La/Yb)N = 1.59). This is clearly demonstrated for particle WF1801AC-1, which was likely inherited from a fine-grained eucritic precursor body. The pre-atmospheric oxygen isotope composition was reconstructed through compensation of mass-dependent fractionation processes as well as mixing with atmospheric oxygen, using iron isotope data. Two particles (WF1801AC-2, WF1801-AC4) display corrected oxygen isotope compositions (δ18O = 3.7–4.4‰) largely consistent with HED meteorites and may thus originate from HED-like parent bodies. The corrected oxygen isotope compositions (δ18O = 12.6–12.8‰) of the remaining particles (WF1801-AC3, WF1801-AC5) do not correspond to known meteorite fields and may represent two distinct types of unknown achondritic parent bodies or residual atmospheric entry effects. Finally, the abundance (ca. 0.5%) of achondritic cosmic spherules within the Widerøefjellet sedimentary trap is comparable to that observed in the South Pole Water Well (SPWW – ca. 0.5%), Novaya Zemlya glacier (ca. 0.45%) and Transantarctic Mountain (TAM) (ca. 2.1%) collections, confirming their overall rarity in micrometeorite collections. Unambiguous evidence for micrometeorites from the Moon or Mars remains absent from collections to date

Evidence for the presence of chondrule‐ and CAI‐derived material in an isotopically anomalous Antarctic micrometeorite

We report the discovery of a unique, refractory phase‐bearing micrometeorite (WF1202A‐001) from the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica. A silicate‐rich cosmic spherule (~400 µm) displays a microporphyritic texture containing Ca‐Al‐rich inclusion (CAI)‐derived material (~5–10 area%), including high‐Mg forsterite (Fo98‐99) and enstatite (En98‐99, Wo0‐1). The micrometeorite also hosts a spherical inclusion (~209 µm), reminiscent of chondrules, displaying a barred olivine texture. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the micrometeorite groundmass (δ17O = –3.46‰, δ18O = 10.43‰, ∆17O = –1.96‰) are consistent with a carbonaceous chondrite precursor body. Yet, a relict forsterite grain is characterized by δ17O = –45.8‰, δ18O = –43.7‰, ∆17O = –23.1‰, compatible with CAIs. In contrast, a relict low‐Ca pyroxene grain (δ17O = –4.96‰, δ18O = –4.32‰, ∆17O = –2.71‰) presumably represents a first‐generation silicate grain that accreted 18O‐rich gas or dust in a transient melting scenario. The spherical inclusion displays anomalous oxygen isotope ratios (δ17O = –0.98‰, δ18O = –2.16‰, ∆17O = 0.15‰), comparable to anhydrous interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and fragments from Comet 81P/Wild2. Based on its major element geochemistry, the chondrule size, and oxygen isotope systematics, micrometeorite WF1202A‐001 likely sampled a carbonaceous chondrite parent body similar to, but distinct from CM, CO, or CV chondrites. This observation may suggest that some carbonaceous chondrite bodies can be linked to comets. The reconstructed atmospheric entry parameters of micrometeorite WF1202A‐001 suggest that the precursor particle originated from a low‐inclination, low‐eccentricity source region, most likely either the main belt asteroids or Jupiter family comets (JFCs)

Artificial weathering of an ordinary chondrite: Recommendations for the curation of Antarctic meteorites

Meteorites are prone to errestrial weathering not only after their fall on the Earth’s surface but also during storage in museum collections. To study the susceptibility of this material to weathering, weathering experiments were carried out on polished sections of the H5 chondrite Asuka 10177. The experiments consisted of four 100-days cycles during which temperature and humidity varied on a twelve hours basis. The first alteration cycle consisted of changing the temperature from 15 to 25 °C; the second cycle consisted of modifying both humidity and temperature from 35 to 45% and 15 to 25 °C, respectively; the third cycle consisted of varying the humidity level from 40 to 60%; and the fourth cycle maintained a fixed high humidity of 80%. Weathering products resulting from the experiments were identified and characterized using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Such products were not observed at the microscopic scale after the first cycle of alteration. Conversely, products typical of the corrosion of meteoritic FeNi metal were observed during scanning electron microscope surveys after all subsequent cycles. Important increases in the distribution of weathering products on the samples were observed after cycles 2 and 4 but not after cycle 3, suggesting that the combination of temperature and humidity fluctuations or high humidity (>60%) alone is most detrimental to chondritic samples. Chemistry of the weathering products revealed a high degree of FeNi metal corrosion with a limited contribution of troilite corrosion. No clear evidence of mafic silicate alteration was observed after all cycles, suggesting that postretrieval alteration remains limited to FeNi metal and to a lesser extent to troilite

The Winchcombe meteorite: a regolith breccia from a rubble pile CM chondrite asteroid

The Winchcombe meteorite is a CM chondrite breccia composed of eight distinct lithological units plus a cataclastic matrix. The degree of aqueous alteration varies between intensely altered CM2.0 and moderately altered CM2.6. Although no lithology dominates, three heavily altered rock types (CM2.1–2.3) represent >70 area%. Tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths (TCIs) are common in several lithologies. Their compositions can vary significantly, even within a single lithology, which can prevent a clear assessment of alteration extent if only TCI composition is considered. We suggest that this is due to early alteration under localized geochemical microenvironments creating a diversity of compositions and because later reprocessing was incomplete, leaving a record of the parent body's fluid history. In Winchcombe, the fragments of primary accretionary rock are held within a cataclastic matrix (~15 area%). This material is impact-derived fallback debris. Its grain size and texture suggest that the disruption of the original parent asteroid responded by intergranular fracture at grain sizes <100 μm, while larger phases, such as whole chondrules, splintered apart. Re-accretion formed a poorly lithified body. During atmospheric entry, the Winchcombe meteoroid broke apart with new fractures preferentially cutting through the weaker cataclastic matrix and separating the breccia into its component clasts. The strength of the cataclastic matrix imparts a control on the survival of CM chondrite meteoroids. Winchcombe's unweathered state and diversity of lithologies make it an ideal sample for exploring the geological history of the CM chondrite group

Olivine settling in cosmic spherules during atmospheric deceleration: An indicator of the orbital eccentricity of interplanetary dust

A new type of cosmic spherule is reported with textures suggesting settling of olivine during atmospheric deceleration. Numerical simulations of entry heating reveal that relict forsterite, which survives melting, can settle over the 1–2 s of flight at high entry angles and entry velocities up to 16 km s−1. Enhanced crystallization of phenocrysts by heterogeneous nucleation on accumulated relict forsterites is the most likely origin of the observed cumulate textures in cosmic spherules. Such textures in cosmic spherules reveal interplanetary dust with higher encounter velocity with the Earth that correspond to orbital eccentricities >0.3. The relative abundance of cumulate spherules suggests that 14% of ordinary chondrite‐related, S(IV)‐type asteroid dust over the last 800 kyr had relatively high orbital eccentricity owing to secular and planetary perturbations. The textures of cosmic spherules collected from sediments can therefore be used to trace dust orbital variations with time, which may influence terrestrial climate

The Winchcombe meteorite – a regolith breccia from a rubble-pile CM chondrite asteroid

The Winchcombe meteorite is a CM chondrite breccia composed of eight distinct lithological units plus a cataclastic matrix. The degree of aqueous alteration varies between intensely altered CM2.0 and moderately altered CM2.6. Although no lithology dominates, three heavily altered rock types (CM2.1-2.3) represent >70 area%. Tochilinite-cronstedtite intergrowths (TCIs) are common in several lithologies. Their compositions can vary significantly, even within a single lithology, which can prevent a clear assessment of alteration extent if only TCI composition is considered. We suggest this is due to early alteration under localised geochemical microenvironments creating a diversity of compositions and because later reprocessing was incomplete, leaving a record of the parent body’s fluid history. In Winchcombe fragments of primary accretionary rock are held within a cataclastic matrix (~15 area%). This material is impact-derived fallback debris. Its grain size and texture suggest that the disruption of the original parent asteroid responded by intergranular fracture at grain sizes <100 µm, while larger phases, such as whole chondrules, splintered apart. Re-accretion formed a poorly lithified body. During atmospheric entry, the Winchcombe meteoroid broke apart with new fractures preferentially cutting through the weaker cataclastic matrix and separating the breccia into its component clasts. The strength of the cataclastic matrix imparts a control on the survival of CM chondrite meteoroids. Winchcombe’s unweathered state and diversity of lithologies makes it an ideal sample for exploring the geological history of the CM chondrite group.Additional authors: H. Mansour, S. Piazolo, T. Salge, R. Heard, R. Findlay, A. J. King, H. C. Bates, M. R. Lee, N. R. Stephen, F. M. Willcocks, R. C. Greenwood, I. A. Franchi, S. S. Russell, C. S. Harrison, P. F. Schofield, N. V. Almeida, C. Floyd, P.-E. Martin, K. H. Joy, P. J. Wozniakiewicz, D. Hallatt, M. J. Burchell, L. S. Alesbrook, V. Spathis, L. T. Cornwell, A. Digna