Meteorite Authenticity

Independent Academic Assessment

Dr. Ravi Chandran

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah

Microstructure of samples after chemical etching

Microstructure sample 50× magnification (1)

50×

Microstructure sample 50× magnification (2)

50×

Microstructure sample 100× magnification

100×

Microstructure sample 200× magnification

200×

Microstructure sample 500× magnification

500×

The optical micrographs confirm BCC iron (white phase) and iron-carbide (dark phase) in forms not found in any manmade iron or steel. It is highly likely that the sample is of meteoric origin.

The optical micrographs confirm that the sample is made of BCC iron (white phase) and iron-carbide (dark phase) appearing in various forms. But the morphologies of these phases, as seen in the pictures, are not found in any manmade iron or steel products. It is highly likely that the sample is of meteoric origin.

X-ray Diffraction Analysis

$X-ray diffraction pattern of meteorite sample$

Figure: Diffraction pattern — crystallographic fingerprint of the meteorite sample

The figure above is a diffraction pattern or "crystallographic fingerprint" for the sample — analogous to a fingerprint of a human hand — for confirming the chemical identity of the material. The pattern confirms the presence of ferrite (pure iron with minimal carbon) and iron carbide (cementite, Fe₃C), within which all the carbon in the sample is contained.

While the "fingerprint" resembles that of man-made steel, the morphology of phases seen in the microstructure slides differs significantly from any engineered steel. Based on both analyses, it can be concluded that the sample is made of meteoric iron.

Crystallographic Data — Peak Identification

The table below shows the measured diffraction peaks from the sample alongside reference values for ferrite, austenite, and cementite. Highlighted values indicate the matched ferrite peaks that confirm the material's identity.

Meteorite Sample						Ferrite		Austenite		Cementite
Peak	2θ	θ	sin θ	CuKα	d-spacing	d-spacing	hkl	d-spacing	hkl	d-spacing	hkl
1	44.68745	22.343725	0.380162	1.540593	2.026232	2.02800	(110)	2.00225	(111)	2.01270	(031)
2	64.85669	32.428345	0.536244		1.436465	1.43401	(200)	1.73400	(200)	1.43750	(321)
3	82.24765	41.123825	0.657689		1.171218	1.17086	(211)	1.22612	(220)	1.19089	(420)

Meteorite Sample Peaks

Meteorite Sample
Peak	2θ	θ	sin θ	d-spacing
1	44.687	22.344	0.38016	2.02623
2	64.857	32.428	0.53624	1.43647
3	82.248	41.124	0.65769	1.17122

Reference Phase Identification

Ferrite		Austenite		Cementite
d-spacing	hkl	d-spacing	hkl	d-spacing	hkl
2.02800	(110)	2.00225	(111)	2.01270	(031)
1.43401	(200)	1.73400	(200)	1.43750	(321)
1.17086	(211)	1.22612	(220)	1.19089	(420)

Conclusion: All three diffraction peaks align closely with ferrite reference values (highlighted above), with additional iron carbide (cementite) present. The combination of this crystallographic fingerprint and the unique phase morphology observed under optical microscopy is consistent with meteoric iron and inconsistent with any known man-made steel or iron product.

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