ABOUT POSSIBLE DETECTION OF AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL SUBSTANCE SAMPLE IN PETROPAVLOVSK

The importance of studying small bodies of the Solar System from the standpoint of clarifying knowledge about the origin and internal structure of the Earth and planets is substantiated. The main source of accurate data  of this kind is the study of meteorites – extraterrestrial bodies that have reached the Earth's surface. The task of finding out the nature of the newly discovered object suspected as a meteorite is set. The methodological basis of its solution includes both a systematic analysis of the typical characteristics for different types of meteorites and the collection of historical data on the Petropavlovsk bolide of 1920. The preliminary results of the object analysis which is suspected in meteorite nature are presented. The general characteristics of the body, including its magnetic properties, are determined. The mineralogical analysis revealed the presence of chondrules and the olivine inclusions in the subject of research is carried out. These compositions do not occur in terrestrial samples. On this basis, it is concluded that with a high probability the object can be recognized as a meteorite, which should be classified as mesosiderite. An assumption about the connection of the object of study with the Petropavlovsk fireball of 1920 is made.

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