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Abstract-An analysis of the distribution of 3He and 4He in L and H chondrites has shown that the parent body of L chondrites underwent a catastrophic collision in space 340 f 50 Ma ago. This age differs considerably from the collision age of 520 2 60 Ma given previously (Heymann, 1967). The parent body of H chondrites may also have undergone local heating and degassing -200 Ma ago. Data for L chondrites argue in favour of Antarctic and non-Antarctic meteorites having originated from a common parent body.

The aim of the OLIMPIYA experiment is to search for and identify traces of heavy and superheavy nuclei of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) in olivine crystals from stony–iron meteorites serving as nuclear track detectors. The method is based on layer-by-layer grinding and etching of particle tracks in these crystals. Unlike the techniques of other authors, this annealing-free method uses two parameters: the etching rate along the track (V etch) and the total track length (L), to identify charge Z of a projectile. A series of irradiations with different swift heavy ions at the accelerator facilities of GSI (Darmstadt) and IMP (Lanzhou) were performed in order to determine and calibrate the dependence of projectile charge on V etch and L. To date, one of the most essential results of the experiment is the obtained charge spectrum of GCR nuclei within the range of Z > 40, based on about 11.6 thousand processed tracks. As the result of data processing, 384 nuclei with charges Z ≥ 75 have been identified, including 10 nuclei identified as actinides (90 < Z < 103). Three tracks were identified to be produced by nuclei with charges 113 < Z < 129. Such nuclei may be part of the Island of Stability of transfermium elements.