Equilibration temperatures of iron and magnesium in chondritic meteorites

The distribution coefficients for Fe(++) and Mg(++) were calculated from new microprobe analyses of coexisting olivine, orthopyroxene, and calcic pyroxene in chondritic meteorites. Interpretation of the data shows that (i) the equilibration temperatures were of the order of 850 degrees C, and (ii) the olivineorthopyroxene partition does not reflect ideal behavior. This equilibration temperature is much lower than previous estimates.