Solar Wind Gases, Cosmic Ray Spallation Products, and the Irradiation History

Abstract

The isotopic abundances of the rare gases in the fines are found to be similar to those previously reported for gas-rich meteorites. Relative to the heavy gases, neon and helium are depleted by factors of 2.5 and 10 respectively. Accurate krypton-krypton ages for rocks 10017, 10047, 10057, and 10071 were obtained covering a range of from 47 to 509 x 10⁶ years. Varying relative production rates of the krypton and xenon isotopes in these rocks suggest different irradiation conditions and a complex history for at least some of the rocks.