Meteorite, Orgueil
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_976-3
Definition
The Orgueil meteorite fell on May 14, 1864, near the village of the same name, in the south of France. With a mass of 14 kg, it is the biggest sample of the C I carbonaceous chondrite group, which represents the most primitive bodies of the solar system. Its composition is identical to that of the Solar photosphere, except for the lightest elements hydrogen and helium. An important discovery was the detection of a high abundance of isotopically anomalous xenon which could be the signature of presolar material. The Orgueil meteorite also contains many amino acids. Recent studies suggest that Orgueil has a cometary origin.
See Also
Keywords
Bioorganic Chemistry High Abundance Solar System Light Element Carbonaceous Chondrite
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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014