Radioactivity of the Bogou Siderite

The Bogou iron meteorite fell near Bogou, Upper Volta, on August 14, 1962. The main mass of the recovered fall was received on October 28 (75 days after fall), and the γ-ray spectrum was determined by a nondestructive technique using a large (7½- by 4-in.) NaI (Tl) crystal spectrometer. Measured specific activities were 439±22 dpm/kg Mn54, ≤14±6 dpm/kg Sc46, <145 dpm/kg Cr51, <32 dpm/kg Co56, 165±60 dpm/kg Co56+58, 66±24 dpm/kg Co57, and ≤7±4 dpm/kg Co60. These results are compared with the measurements on Aroos and with measurements on a mass of iron which had been subjected to a 3-bev proton bombardment. The Mn54 concentrations observed in Bogou, Aroos, and the irradiated iron are in close agreement. Agreement is also noted on all the cobalt isotopes, except Co60, where large variations are expected from meteorite to meteorite. The Sc46, Cr51, and Co60 concentrations appear to be lower in Bogou than in Aroos.