For
meteorite hunters, the desert is a paradise like existence. The unique dry
climate environment is a natural protected area to slow down meteorite
oxidation. The terrain covered with yellow sand makes meteorites nowhere to
escape, making the desert region a large meteorite collection site after
Antarctica. Olive meteorite iron (commonly known as olive meteorite) is a rare
type of meteorite that has been witnessed and discovered in the world. Due to
its unique ornamental value, it is also one of the most expensive meteorite
varieties.
The
Imilac olive meteorite was discovered in the Atacama Desert of Chile as early
as 1822. Although the discovery of Imilac olive meteorite was not widespread,
it attracted the attention and search of meteorite hunters. However, each
discovery had a mass of several kilograms. It was not until 2018 that meteorite
hunters from Russia once again entered the Atacama Desert and found hundreds of
thousands of grams of Imilac olive meteorite.
The
Imilac meteorite was analyzed by Bruker MICRO-XRF M4 TORNADO, and we can see
the distribution of elements and minerals. Kamacite (Fe, Ni): Kamacite is a
metal alloy mainly composed of iron and nickel. It is a common component of
iron meteorites, usually appearing in crystalline form. Taenite (Fe, Ni): Taenite
is another iron nickel alloy found in meteorites. It has a different crystal
structure from Kamacite and is typically rich in more nickel. Troilite (FeS):
Troilite is a mineral composed of iron and sulfur. It is commonly found in iron
meteorites and usually appears as small yellow particles. Schrebersite (Fe, Ni)
3P): Schrebersite is a phosphide mineral containing iron and nickel. It is
commonly found in iron meteorites and is often associated with other minerals
such as Taenite and Kamacite. Chromium (FeCr2O4): Chromium is a mineral
composed of iron, chromium, and oxygen. The presence of Imilac meteorites
indicates the inclusion of chromium rich substances during their formation
process.
These
minerals are distributed in olivine (Fe, Mg) 2SiO4) particles, further
highlighting the unique composition and origin of the Imilc meteorite. This
unique sample provides us with valuable information about geological and
chemical processes in outer space. The analysis results of MICRO-XRF
fluorescence on this sample can expand our understanding of the universe and
appreciate the beauty of these extraterrestrial objects from a scientific
perspective.