Marrocchi, Y.; Jacquet, E.; Neukampf, J.; Villeneuve, J.; Zolensky, M.
Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 2023, 58, 2, 195-206
Voir en ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.13947
Abstract :
The ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite (CC) Bells has long been considered petrographically similar to CM chondrites based on its matrix abundance and degree of aqueous alteration, but also shows significant isotopic affinities to CR chondrites. Its taxonomic status is thus important for clarifying the relationship of the CRHB (formerly “CR”) clan with other CCs. In this study, we measured the oxygen isotopic compositions of olivines in type I chondrules and isolated olivine grains in Bells. Bells olivines mostly have Δ17O > 4&, similar to CR chondrites but unlike other CCs that are rich in refractory inclusions, in which chondrules are generally richer in 16O. Therefore, Bells is a CR chondrite (albeit an anomalous one), most similar to the rare, matrix-rich CRs like Al Rais. These chondrites (i) may not necessarily derive from the same primary parent body as mainstream CRs, (ii) bear witness to significant variations of the matrix/chondrule ratio within the CRHB clan, and (iii) may be a good analog for samples retrieved by the space mission OSIRIS-REx.