Magnetic properties of Ni-rich iron meteorites

6 Ni-rich ataxites (25.6-35.5 wt% in Ni-content) are magnetically analyzed. These Ni-rich ataxites can be classified into 3 groups on the basis of the structure consisting of the major Fe-Ni phases; i. e., (1) ordinary taenite phase (ferromagnetic and paramagnetic γ-phases) only, (Yamato-791694 and the Lime Creek), (2) γ-phase plus tetrataenite (γ\u27-phase), (the Santa Catharina), and (3) γ-phase plus γ\u27-phase plus martensitic Fe-Ni metal (α_2-phase), (the Twin City and the San Cristobal). The Tishomingo Ni-rich ataxite has an anomalous structure, which may belong to either group (2) or group (3). Taenite lamellae of 2 octahedrites (the Toluca and the Itutinga) are also magnetically analyzed. These taenite lamellae have the structure of group (2)