Investigating planetary processes using Eagle Station and Ungrouped pallasite meteorites

This project will utilize novel methods of paleomagnetic analysis through synchrotron X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM) to search for, and measure, the presence and magnetic intensities of metallic nanostructures for Eagle Station (ES) and Ungrouped pallasites to gain insight on the conditions under which ancient magnetic fields of their parent bodies develop.

Supplementary electron microprobe analysis will be utilized to constrain the chemical evolution of their metal phases and provide insight into potential geochemical and genetic relationships to other well studied meteorite groups.

These methods will collectively provide further insight into the planetary processes involved in the, still debated, mechanisms of formation of the stony-iron pallasite class of meteorites including the ferrovolcanism model of petrogenesis: a proposed origin model of the 16 Psyche asteroid, the target of the most recent NASA mission launched on 13 October, 2023.

Originally thought to be a stripped planetary core, new density measurements of 16 Psyche now read a lower density than magmatic iron, indicating either a macroporous structure from loose consolidation after catastrophic impact, or that 16 Psyche is closer to that of a stony-iron body in composition.