Way cool!! I only quoted the last paragraph for you, so check out the article via the link below. Opal discovered in Antarctic meteorite June 28, 2016
A backscattered electron image of the narrow opal rim surrounding a bright metallic mineral inclusion in meteorite found in Antarctica. The circular holes in this image are spots where laser analyses have been performed. Credit: H. Downes
The team used different techniques to analyse the opal and check its composition. They see convincing evidence that it is extra-terrestrial in origin, and did not form while the meteorite was sitting in the Antarctic ice. For example, using the NanoSims instrument at the Open University, they can see that although the opal has interacted to some extent with water in the Antarctic, the isotopes (different forms of the same element) match the other minerals in the original meteorite.
it's very interesting and strange that opal can form in meteorite
..but it looks like this article is more about 'water from space' and they only use this as 'proof' of this 'theory' - which I don't believe
they should focus more on opal ..because if that is possible this might mean that in the right condition the silica change into 'solid opal' very fast btw. it seems that some ancient stories were right that opal had fallen from the sky
This article popped up again on FB today. Thought I'd post some of the photos they have linked at the bottom of the article.
Images of one of the many pieces of opal found in meteorite EET 83309. At top right is a backscattered electron image (the long thin dark object is opal). At bottom left is an image of silica concentrations in opal and surrounding meteoritic minerals. At top left is an image of oxygen concentrations in opal and surrounding minerals. At bottom right is an image nickel concentrations in opal and surrounding minerals. Credit: H. Downes
A backscattered electron image of the narrow opal rim surrounding a bright metallic mineral inclusion in meteorite found in Antarctica. The circular holes in this image are spots where laser analyses have been performed. Credit: H. Downes
Last edited by PinkDiamond on Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason:Edited by Pink to embed the pics
Some asteroids may have once been planet-size, and assuming the meteorite originated from an asteroid (rather than blown off by another impact on Mars or Earth) this would only give credence to the theory that objects in the asteroid belt were once a planet(s) large and warm enough to support liquid water. All the talk about "ice" is irrelevant. Opal forms from silica deposited by flowing water - not ice (or even ice briefly liquefied by an impact).
