ON THE RADIOACTIVITY OF STONE METEORITES
The gamma -ray spectra of 37 samples of 25 chondrites, 3 carbonaceous chrondrites, and 9 achondrites were investigated using a large NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer. An extensive set of measurements are presented here. Long lived Mo and Al/sup 26/ were the predominant radioactivities detected; more unusual gamma -ray emitters detected were 308day Mn/sup 54/, 2.6-year Na/dup 22/ , and probably a mixture of Sc/sup 46/ and Co/sup 56 + 58/ (half-lives approximately 80 days). These nuclides were detected in relatively recent falls (the youngest, the Harleton, Texas, chondrite was measured 21 days after fall). Furthermore, thorium was detected and measured in 5 of the 9 achondrites. The average potassium content in chondrites was found to be 0.081 per cent, in excellent agreement with Edwards and Urey. Chondritic potassium concentrations vary plus or minus 10 per cent from this average value. The average Al/sup 26/ concentration in stone meteorites was 245 plus or minus 42 disintegrations/min/ kg (silicon and aluminum). The variation from the mean of both potassium and Al/ sup 26/ concentrations is real, not analytical. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-002515
- OSTI ID:
- 4153191
- Journal Information:
- Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (England), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (England) Vol. Vol: 27; ISSN GCACA
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
THORIUM IN STONE METEORITES BY NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
Cosmogenic radionuclides in stone meteorites
Related Subjects
ALUMINUM 26
ASTROPHYSICS
COBALT 56
COBALT 58
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
HALF-LIFE
MANGANESE 54
MEASURED VALUES
METEORITES
PHYSICS
POTASSIUM 40
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
SCANDIUM 46
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SILICON
SODIUM 22
SODIUM IODIDES
SPECTRA
THALLIUM
THORIUM