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Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 24: Nov-Dec 1982 |
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A Hint Of Extraterrestrial Oceans
The Allende carbonaceous chondrite (a well-known meteorite) contains a layered mineral related to serpentine, which seems to have been formed under aqueous conditions before it was incorporated into the meteoric mass. In the sometimes obscure language of science, the authors say that the unusual characteristics of this mineral may
"...reflect undetermined extraterrestrial conditions experienced by some chondrules and aggregates."
(Tomeoka, Kazushige, and Buseck, Peter R.; "An Unusual Layered Mineral in Chondrules and Aggregates of the Allende Carbonaceous Chondrite," Nature, 299:327, 1982.)
Comment. Usually "hydrous" and "sedimentary" meteorites are quickly forgotten! They don't conform to expectations.