Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 1980
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980rspta.297..495p&link_type=abstract
Royal Society (London), Philosophical Transactions, Series A, vol. 297, no. 1432, July 29, 1980, p. 495-518.
Computer Science
6
Iron Meteorites, Meteoritic Composition, Microstructure, Ocean Bottom, Sediments, Spherules, Stony Meteorites, Atlantic Ocean, Chemical Analysis, Electron Microscopy, Pacific Ocean, Particle Size Distribution, Photomicrographs, Structural Properties (Geology), X Ray Diffraction, Zodiacal Dust
Scientific paper
The size distribution and structural properties of the stony and iron cosmic spherules found in deep sea surface sediments are investigated in light of the assumption that they originated as collision sparks in the zodiacal cloud. Spherules were extracted from Atlantic and Pacific sediments and examined by stereoscopic microscope, X-ray diffraction, electron probe techniques and scanning electron microscope. From the amounts and densities of spherules with diameters not less than 50 microns in the Atlantic sediment, a total mass influx rate of cosmic spherules to the earth of 14 tonnes/day is estimated. The particle size distribution determined is shown to be consistent with the theory of Opik for extraterrestrial particles surviving passage through the earth's atmosphere, and it is estimated that spherical particles make up at least 10% of the zodiacal cloud. Structural examinations reveal that neither the iron nor the stony spherules experienced melting during atmospheric flight, and it is suggested that those infalling spherules which did melt were subsequently destroyed by the explosion of solar wind gases contained within them. Data also indicate that the stony cosmic spherules are not ablation droplets from the crusts of stony meteorites while the iron spherules are found to be similar in structure to sparks from a grind-wheel quenched close to the wheel.
Andrews John N.
Parkin David W.
Sullivan A. L. R.
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