Earth Planets Space, 58, 1079–1086, 2006 Heterogeneous distribution of 60Fe in the early solar nebula: Achondrite

60Fe-60Ni systematics in quenched angrites and two old eucrites were investigated by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The 60Ni/62Ni isotopic compositions were normal within 2σ errors. The inferred initial 60Fe/56Fe ratios for quenched angrites was (6±9)×10−9, and similar upper limit values were also obtained from eucrites. Using the age difference of approximately 5 Ma between the quenched angrites and Ca-Al-rich inclusions, the initial 60Fe/56Fe ratio at the start of the solar system was calculated to be approximately (6±9)×10−8. This initial ratio is significantly smaller than previously published values obtained from chondritic materials, suggesting the heterogeneous distribution of 60Fe in the solar nebula