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The possibility of superheavy elements in iron meteorites

Nature volume 278, pages 613–617 (1979)Cite this article

Abstract

The possible role of superheavy elements in the early Moon is reviewed. The siderophilic superheavy elements (possibly Z = 114, 115, 116) may have been the heat source in the Moon's iron core needed to generate the ancient lunar magnetic field. It is suggested that in the search for present day evidence of the existence of these hypothetical elements, iron meteorites may be a key. The available data on their trace elements are reviewed and future work to determine whether they are in part fission products from metallic superheavy elements is suggested.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Science and Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024

    Leona Marshall Libby

  2. Department of Chemistry, Environmental Science and Engineering Department,

    W. F. Libby

  3. Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024

    W. F. Libby

  4. Institute of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, School of Physics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    S. Keith Runcorn

Authors
  1. Leona Marshall Libby
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  2. W. F. Libby
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  3. S. Keith Runcorn
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Libby, L., Libby, W. & Runcorn, S. The possibility of superheavy elements in iron meteorites. Nature 278, 613–617 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/278613a0

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