by S. Ray DeRusse
XRD data for this sample is here. Final
EDS analysis is here on six individual grains.( final on six grains only}
XRD data for this sample is here. Final
EDS analysis is here on six individual grains.( final on six grains only}
One of our most
unusual and exciting finds is a hand sample of crystalline stellar
grains thermally annealed in Fe dust. This sample is composed of
including but not limited to sub-mm, (<1mm) plagioclase, olivine,
and pyroxene grains with unusual triple and quad zones of nucleated
glassy spheres and displaying an amazing array of high Tc and P induced
geophysical/chemical properties, a complete nucleus in some grains with
a differing glassy crust surrounding the nucleus, unusual pressure
induced grain deformations caused by nearest neighbor grain collisions
and resulting in micron and sub-mm sized inter grain penetration,
single round grains composed of an array of crystallized dust particles
bound in one single grain!, a complete reduced Fe shell around each
grain forming a melted bonding matrix between the grains and the entire
mass. The entire process of formation for this sample is described in
"CHEMISTRY & CHEMICAL REACTIVITY", by John C. Kotz and Keith F.
Purcell, 1987; Special Section: THE ORIGIN OF THE ELEMENTS, and is
included here in part, pp 286-288.
"Energy is evolved when light nuclei coalesce or fuse to form nuclei lighter than iron. However, iron formation is the end of this exothermic series! To continue the fusion process requires energy. Therefore, when a massive star has essentially consumed its fuel and iron has been formed, the core collapses to a super dense state in less than a second. The shock waves from this collapse expand outward through the envelope of gases surrounding the core, heating the gases and providing the energy to create heavy nuclei. This outward blast is seen as a gigantic explosion called a super nova, many of which have been observed. The explosion sends debris rocketing into space, where over additional millions of years it coalesces with hydrogen, helium, and other elements to form new stars. Our sun is just such a "second generation" star, and the earth and the other planets of the solar system were formed from debris of the explosions of massive stars. It is for this reason that there is a wide variety of elements found on the earth and other planets." And see Angela Speck "Cosmic Chemical Memory". |
Below for the very
first time anywhere, we have on display, a hand sample of the debris of
a super nova described above. The main mass is available to museums for
display and not for sale at this time. A limited amount of this
material will be available for research and museum display only. This
material is not for the private collector markets.
The identification
of this stellar grain main mass and stellar grains was not an easy
task. By examining the grain size, shape, and composition, in thin
section, and comparing it to terrestrial analogues and products from
the discontinuous series of Bowen’s Reaction Series, and knowing the
products including grain shape and composition for terrestrial
materials, one can make a positive identification. The finding of this
sample was a complete accident and took six months to identify. A
combination of patience, luck, and keen observation can sometimes yield
good results. Not pictured here is a small slice about 1 mm thick of
this sample. The ability to slice such a thin sliver of sub-mm grains
of this sample while remaining intact shows the extent to which the
reduced Fe bonding matrix material between the grains has literally
welded the grains together in the stellar envelope! Absolutely
incredible!
Stereo
photomicrographs above showing individual stellar grains encased in
reduced high Tc Fe shells. With needle sized sharp pointed
instrument and much difficulty these grains were dislodged from the
main mass of Iron matrix material. Fe shells form the bonding
matrix for the entire mass and are literally welded to nearest neighbor
grains. Photomicrographs prepared by, Molecular
Expressions. (One
mm scale on left).
Dark areas in PL and
PPL graphs above is metallic bonding matrix silicates, mixed with
including but not limited to Fe, Mg, and Ca. Edges of grains indicate
annealed Fe shell is strongly bonded to silicate crystal and edges of
many grains were broken while attempting to polish thin section. This
indicates very high Tc and P conditions existed in plasma environment
of stellar grain formation. Courtesy, Molecular Expressions.
Cosmic chemical abundances, remote sensing vs. lab analysis.