Recent studies on iron meteorites. IV The origin of meteoritic helium and the age of meteorites

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

12

Scientific paper

The rate of generation of helium in iron, by nuclear evaporation processes initiated by cosmic radiation, is recalculated with particular reference to the problem of the helium content of iron meteorites. The absence of a significant "depth effect" (postulated by to arise through the exponential absorption of the primary radiation), is shown to be explicable for small meteorites in terms of helium production by secondary particles (mostly mesons). Curves are presented showing the calculated helium content as a function of radial distance, and these are in good quantitative agreement with the experimental data of , and . The meteorite (Morden) with the highest known helium content is shown to require a (cosmic-ray flux) × (time) product about three times the product (present day flux in neighbourhood of earth's orbit) × ("age" of helium-poorest meteorite, as deduced from radioactive age calculations). This may represent a genuine spread in "ages", although it seems more reasonable to explain it in terms of a theory of cosmic ray production such as and super nova mechanism which would require the mean flux to be several times the flux measured (as to-day) in the absence of an active "local" super nova. A comparison of the actual sizes of meteorites with the pre-atmospheric sizes necessary to explain the observed helium contents is shown to be in good agreement with the astro-ballistic data of and . In particular, the Treysa meteorite, for which observational data are available concerning the fall, provides a most satisfactory test of the present calculations.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Recent studies on iron meteorites. IV The origin of meteoritic helium and the age of meteorites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Recent studies on iron meteorites. IV The origin of meteoritic helium and the age of meteorites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Recent studies on iron meteorites. IV The origin of meteoritic helium and the age of meteorites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-947053

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.