Is Kakangari a unique chondrite?

Abstract

THE Kakangari meteorite, possibly a unique member of a distinct chemical class of chondrite, fell in India in 1890. Two stones were seen to fall, and though one was soon destroyed the bulk of the other, about 310 g, is preserved in Calcutta and London^1,2. Mason and Wiik³ concluded that Kakangari is probably a carbonaceous chondrite. Subsequent improved understanding of chemical fractionation between chondritic groups (see ref. 4) enables us to show, however, that their analysis in fact indicates that Kakangari is similar in bulk composition to the ordinary chondrites, apart from its high S content (Table 1). In this last respect it resembles carbonaceous or enstatite chondrites. The FeO × 100/(FeO + MgO) molecular ratio, 13.7, lies between that of H group (bronzite) chondrites and enstatite chondrites. That is confirmed by our microprobe analyses discussed here. The mineralogical data are based on preliminary microprobe analyses on a thin section cut from a British Museum (Natural History) specimen (BM 69062).