3D Laser Imaging and Modeling of Iron Meteorites and Tektites

3D laser imaging is a non-destructive method devised to calculate bulk density by creating volumetrically accurate computer models of hand samples. The focus of this research was to streamline the imaging process and to mitigate any potential errors. 3D laser imaging captured with great detail (30 voxel/mm2) surficial features of the samples, such as regmaglypts, pits and cut faces. Densities from 41 iron meteorites and 9 splash-form Australasian tektites are reported here. The laser-derived densities of iron meteorites range from 6.98 to 7.93 g/cm3. Several suites of meteorites were studied and are somewhat heterogeneous based on an average 2.7% variation in inter-fragment density. Density decreases with terrestrial age due to weathering. The tektites have an average laser-derived density of 2.41+0.11g/cm3. For comparison purposes, the Archimedean bead method was also used to determine density. This method was more effective for tektites than for iron meteorites.