Search for fission tracks from superheavy elements in Allende

This paper presents results of a fission track investigation of the minor mineral phase chromite in the Allende meteorite. Although this mineral is a possible carrier of much of the meteorite's isotopically anomalous xenon, there are at least two orders of magnitude fewer fission tracks present in the chromite than would be expected if the reported anomalous xenon were due to in-situ fission (perhaps of a superheavy element). Three possible explanations of this negative result are: (1) the fission occurred prior to the latest track erasure event (probably very early in the meteorite's history); (2) the anomalous xenon is not, in fact, sited in the chromites, or (3) the anomalous xenon was not produced by in-situ fission. (Auth.)