meteorite origin question

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Chich Canada
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meteorite origin question

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Post by Chich »


Something that I never gave much thought to. How do they determine that a particular meteorite originated from a specific solar system body, or even from outside the system?

I can see that now that we have probes out there taking samples it would help narrow things down but other than that? How could they say this chunck came from say Mars with any certainty?

Thanks for any input
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notFritzArgelander
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Re: meteorite origin question

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Post by notFritzArgelander »


I'm no expert but chemistry plays a role in identifying likely origins. Here are two summaries.

https://meteorites.asu.edu/meteorite-origins

https://meteorites.ucla.edu/where/
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Chich Canada
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Re: meteorite origin question

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Post by Chich »


Thanks
Interesting read. While I had thought spectral analysis might be an option I never considered atmospheric measurements from landers. It does seem that to have any certainty we have to go and sample.

Using the penetration of cosmic rays into rocks as a crude dating method to at least prove they are from the solar system. Smarter people out there than a cranky retired firefighter for sure :)
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Re: meteorite origin question

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Post by notFritzArgelander »


Chich wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:41 am Thanks
Interesting read. While I had thought spectral analysis might be an option I never considered atmospheric measurements from landers. It does seem that to have any certainty we have to go and sample.

Using the penetration of cosmic rays into rocks as a crude dating method to at least prove they are from the solar system. Smarter people out there than a cranky retired firefighter for sure :)
It's a complicated forensic chemistry problem for which one can only get the relative probabilities of different points of origin and intervening environmental sleuthing. I don't have the head for it. :)
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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