Formation Times of Meteorites and Lunar Samples

This article summarizes research since the last detailed reviews of meteorite ages by Anders [1963] and Reynolds [1967]. Only crystallization ages based on parent-daughter isotopic relationships resulting from the decay of naturally occurring radioactive nuclei will be discussed. The basic principles and techniques for age determinations are discussed in many of the papers cited and, along with summaries of scientific results, in several recent books [Dalrymple and Lanphere, 1969; Doe 1970; Hamilton, 1965; Schaeffer and Zahringer, 1966; Faul, 1966]. However, developments in the field have made some of the material in the books obsolete.