The occurrence of graphite in Campo del Cielo as a clue to understanding the formation scenario of non-magmatic iron meteorites

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to assess the carbon vapor deposition scenario as proposed in the literature for graphite formation in non-magmatic iron meteorites. For this aim, graphite occurrence in a sample of the Campo del Cielo Argentinean iron meteorite was explored through optical and electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. From the results, an alternative setup shall be considered for graphite formation, which would provide evidence for understanding the formation of non-magmatic meteorites, still under discussion.