Nebular Fractionation, Classification and Formation Locationof Chrondritic Meteorites

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The purpose of this project is to learn more of the history of the solar nebula by studying chondritic meteorites. The plan is to analyze chondrites to obtain compositional data that relate to: 1) the nebular processes that led to the formation of the chondrites, and 2) the heliocentric distances at which the different chondrite groups formed. Approximately 30 elements will be determined by high precision neutron activation analysis. The main current focus is on the study of unusual ordinary chondrites, particularly those that have compositions intermediate between those of members of the main (H, L, LL) groups. Phase analysis will be used to locate more of these and, in collaboration with other groups, bulk elememntal data and noble-gas isotopic data will be used to assess whether these originated in the same parent bodies as the main groups. Rare classes of chondrites will be analyzed, and fractionation trends among relted chondrites interpreted in terms of nebular fractionation processes.