Spinels in Meteorites: Observation Using Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Abstract

In this mini-review, we consider the results of various meteorite studies using Mössbauer spectroscopy with a high velocity resolution in order to reveal the minor spectral components related to spinels such as chromite, hercynite, magnesiochromite, magnesioferrite and daubréelite in bulk meteorite matter or in some extracted phases. Spinels observation in the Mössbauer spectra is supported by characterization of the studied samples by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. Mössbauer parameters obtained for extraterrestrial spinels are compared with those obtained for terrestrial analogs published in the literature.