Paper detail

Chondrule size and related physical properties: a compilation and evaluation of current data across all meteorite groups

The examination of the physical properties of chondrules has generally received less emphasis than other properties of meteorites such as their mineralogy, petrology, and chemical and isotopic compositions. Among the various physical properties of chondrules, chondrule size is especially important for the classification of chondrites into chemical groups, since each chemical group possesses a distinct size-frequency distribution of chondrules. Knowledge of the physical properties of chondrules is also vital for the development of astrophysical models for chondrule formation, and for understanding how to utilize asteroidal resources in space exploration. To examine our current knowledge of chondrule sizes, we have compiled and provide commentary on available chondrule dimension literature data. We include all chondrite chemical groups as well as the acapulcoite primitive achondrites, some of which contain relict chondrules. We also compile and review current literature data for other astrophysically-relevant physical properties (chondrule mass and density). Finally, we briefly examine some additional physical aspects of chondrules such as the frequencies of compound and 'cratered' chondrules. A purpose of this compilation is to provide a useful resource for meteoriticists and astrophysicists alike.