At the intersection of reality and science fiction, Tatooine (also translated as Tatooine, English: Tatooine) reveals the secrets of the universe behind it. This meteorite was discovered during a fireball event in Taitaouen, Tunisia in 1931. It not only attracted the attention of scientists, but also became the focus of Star Wars fans.
This unique meteorite belongs to a rare type of “Diogenites” and is closely related to the history of the early solar system. Bronze achondrites are known for their igneous origin, forming deep inside asteroids and slowly cooling into large crystal structures. This meteorite contains crystals with a diameter of up to 5mm, which are interlaced with black textures, which is evidence of a high-temperature and high-pressure impact.
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Recent research traces its origin to Vesta (asteroid number: 4 Vesta), the second largest asteroid in the solar system’s asteroid belt. These meteorites are approximately 4 billion years old and provide a window into the ancient solar system. The presence of impact-melting veins and pyroxene mineral grain structures in the copper achondrite indicates that it withstood pressures of up to 25,000 MPa – far exceeding the pressures found in the deepest ocean trenches on Earth.
Radioactive argon-argon dating technique analyzes catastrophic impact 3.4 billion years ago
Analysis of seven aluminite meteorites. (Photo/Acta Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry) Advertisement (Please continue reading this article)
The study also sheds light on Vesta’s “violent past,” showing that it experienced continuous impact events until a catastrophic collision 3.4 billion years ago. This event may have produced multiple smaller debris asteroids, known as Vestas (also known as Vestas). Further collisions of these asteroids sent material flying towards Earth over the past 50 to 60 million years – including the Tunisian fireball event.
Scientists used radioactive argon-argon dating techniques to analyze 18 ancient copper achondrites from Vesta. This method involves comparing the ratios of two argon isotopes, one of which increases at a known rate over time. Additionally, the team used an electron microscopy technique called electron backscatter diffraction to study the deformation caused by the collision.
By combining dating and microscopy techniques, the authors succeeded in mapping a timeline of impact events on Vesta and the early solar system. This study shows that “Vesta experienced continuous impact events until a catastrophic impact 3.4 billion years ago.”
This work proves the importance of studying meteorites – impacts play an important role in the evolution of asteroids in our solar system. The details of the paper have been published in the latest issue of “Acta Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry” in 2024.
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First image source: Getty Images cc By4.0
Image Source:Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta cc By4.0
Reference papers:
1.A slowly cooled deep crust on asteroid 4 Vesta and the recent impact history of rubble pile vestoids recorded by diogenites Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Further reading:
1.NASA discovers a galaxy that looks like a TIE Fighter from Star Wars
