Mesosiderites are a distinctive type of
stony-iron meteorite, consisting of approximately equal proportions of metallic
nickel-iron and silicate minerals, often exhibiting a brecciated texture.
Within their kamacite component, Neumann lines are frequently observed.
Mesosiderite meteorites tend to be brittle, formed
from fragmented materials that have been naturally fused together. Their unique
blend of composition and structure enhances their ability to withstand impacts.
Neumann lines, also referred to as Neumann bands, appear as single or multiple
parallel lines in the acid-etched sections of the kamacite phase of iron
meteorites. These lines are physical indicators of shock-induced deformation,
likely caused by impact events on the meteorite's parent body or during space
collisions and are regarded as secondary features.
While mesosiderites may be brittle, they are also
durable. Dr. Randy Korotev from Washington University in St. Louis, stated,
"the metal component in mesosiderites, mainly kamacite and taenite, plays
a key role in absorbing and dispersing impact energy, minimizing the chances of
catastrophic fragmentation."
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