Microscopic  Meteorite Pictures  by Tom Phillips

JaH 073 Found January 2001 in Jiddat al Harasis, Oman. It is classified as an ordinary chondrite L6 with a shock level of S4 and weathering Level of W 2-3.

It is just and OC L6 but ever since I cut into the first samples I received from Ivan Koutyrev back in 2003, I have puzzled over what I saw.

In some of the stones (not the majority of the samples I had examined) and in small patches on the cut face (Less than 2% of surface area) there was a unique structure. I have kept this structure in mind and have revisited the samples over the years when ever I would get a bright idea or new information.

I have shared images with many people and the consensus is these spheres are a type of impact melt structure in various stages of weathering.

For starters, this is the sample I am imaging. It weight is 136 gr. (And yes, that is one of Jeff's (Meteorites Australia) Tungsten cubes found at http://www.scalecubes.com/about.html

These are the spheres taken in incident (reflected) cross polarized light at a magnification of 700X. This process does not use a thin section. It is a close up of the cut and polished face of the sample shown. Colors are true to life. This is actually what it looks like way up close.

Some times this feature is evident in veins. (magnification 700X)

One more thing I found interesting is how the metallic looking spheres turned red with terrestrial weathering (al least that is my interpretation).

And there are other signs of terrestrial weathering!

I have a few examples of the spheres at a magnification of 1600X.

Finally, here are two close ups of a barred chondrule found in the sample.

Once again, These are only a layman's observations. Take them with a grain of salt and (hopefully) enjoy the pictures.

Tom Phillips can be reached by email at:
STARSANDSCOPES@aol.com

The Tom Phillips Microscopic Meteorite Photography and Gallery