Delegate meteorite, Delegate, Wellesley Co., New South Wales, Australia
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Find, 1904; 27.7 kg
A somewhat weathered Fe-rich mass [~9.5% Ni] was found near a gully off Sawpit Creek near the village of Delegate. The meteorite is a somewhat normal type IIIAB iron with a distinctive Widmanstätten structure accompanied by ~40 vol % plessite plus accessory schreibersite and troilite. Brecciated schreibersite is present as vermicular bodies, Brezina lamellae, and rhabdites. Troilite is a minor constituent present mostly in phosphides, but one very unusual troilite inclusion is accompanied by a number of minor phases. The geochemistry is somewhat anomalous as the iridium content is higher than normal for IIIAB irons. The kamacite has been hardened by severe pre-terrestrial shock. Post-terrestrial weathering has produced some iron oxides as well as cream-colored pentlandite and other sulfides.
The rather long cosmic ray exposure age of ~750-800 Ma is similar to that of many irons. Delegate is one of 299 irons classified as a IIIAB iron. The main mass is held at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
Mineral List
12 entries listed. 9 valid minerals.
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References
Ramdohr, P. (1973). The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. Elsevier Publishing Company: Amsterdam, London: New York. 245 pages.
Buchwald, V. F. (1975) Handbook of Iron Meteorites, vol 2: University of California Press.
Grady, M. M. (2000) Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, New York, Oakleigh, Madrid, Cape Town. 690 pages.
Buchwald, V. F. (1975) Handbook of Iron Meteorites, vol 2: University of California Press.
Grady, M. M. (2000) Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, New York, Oakleigh, Madrid, Cape Town. 690 pages.
External Links
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php = Meteoritical Bulletin Database
http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/test/Delegate_don_edwards.JPG
http://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10524/35674/vol2-Dee-Dow(LO).pdf#page=7
http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/test/Delegate_don_edwards.JPG
http://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10524/35674/vol2-Dee-Dow(LO).pdf#page=7