In-situ Discovery of a Cluster of Refractory Grains in an Allende Ferromagnesian Chondrule

Abstract

During our nano-mineralogy investigation of the Allende meteorite, we discovered a unique corundum-rich cluster of irregular micrometer-sized refractory grains in a type IA chondrule. The presence of relatively oxidized (rutile) and highly reduced (a new mineral Ti_2O_3, khamrabaevite) phases in the same cluster reflects distinctly different environments prior to incorporation of the cluster into the chondrule. To our knowledge, this is the first occurrence of such a cluster. Investigation of phases that are clearly exotic to the host chondrule and may predate its formation can provide not only important constraints on the materials present when chondrules formed and the enviroments within or outside the Protoplanetary disk, but also on the chondrule formation event. Herein we report our prelimary results on the mineralogy of these grains and the overall petrology of their host chondrule.

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