Most meteorite research projects at PSU are based on the chemical, mineralogic, and petrologic analyses of meteorites, utilizing such equipment as petrographic microscopes, scanning transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron microprobe, secondary-ionization-mass-spectrometry (SIMS), and laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-
spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). 
 
 

Some recent publications:

Hutson M., A. Ruzicka, R. Pugh, L. Sloan and E. Thompson (2007).  Complex brecciation and shock effects in the Buck Mountain Wash (H3-5)  chondrite.  Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, 963-978.

Ruzicka, A., H. Hiyagon, M. Hutson and C. Floss (2007). Relict olivine, chondrule recycling, and the evolution of nebular oxygen reservoirs. Earth Planetary Sci. Lett. 257, 274-289. 

Schepker T.J. and A. Ruzicka (2007) XRD as a tool to constrain olivine composition: Applications to H- and L-chondrites.  Meteorit. Planet. Sci.  42, Abstract #5316. 

Hutson M. L. and A. Ruzicka (2007) The case against Mercury as the angrite parent body.  Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, Abstract #5238. 

Hutson, M., R. Hugo, A. Ruzicka, and M. Killgore (2007) Annealing after shock: Evidence from olivine microstructures in Portales Valley.  Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, Abstract #5072. 

Ruzicka A. and M. Hutson  (2006) Differentiation and evolution of the IVA meteorite parent body: Clues from pyroxene geochemistry in the  Steinbach stony-iron.  Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 41, 1959-1987.

Ruzicka A., M. Hutson and C. Floss (2006) Petrology of silicate inclusions in the Sombrerete ungrouped iron meteorite: Implications for the origins of IIE-type silicate-bearing irons . Meteorit Planet. Sci. 41, 1797-1831. 

Ruzicka A. and M. Hutson (2006) NWA 2999 and other angrites: No compelling evidence for a mercurian origin. Meteorit. Planet. Sci., 41, Abstract #5080. 

Ruzicka, A., C. Floss and M. Hutson (2006) Trace-element compositions of normal, dusty, and clear olivine in Chainpur chondrules. Meteorit. Planet. Sci., 41, Abstract #5266. 

Hutson, M.L., R.N. Pugh and A.M. Ruzicka (2006) Public outreach and education with meteorites involving a museum exhibit, website, and teacher workshops. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVII, Abstract #1095, Lunar and Planetary Institute. 

Ruzicka A., M. Killgore, D.W. Mittlefehldt, and M.D. Fries (2005) Portales Valley: Petrology of a metallic-melt meteorite breccia.  Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 40, 261-296.
(see also link: 
http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Sept05/PortalesValley.html)

Fries, M., Steele A. and A. Ruzicka (2005) Carbon and mineral phase distribution on a CV3 dark inclusion boundary – A confocal raman imaging study. Meteorit. Planet. Sci., 40, A52, Abstract #5236. 

Ruzicka, A. and C. Floss (2004) Forsterite and olivine in Sahara 97210 (LL3.2) and Chainpur (LL3.4) chondrules: Compositional evolution and the influence of melting. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXV, Abstract #1422, Lunar and Planetary Institute (CD ROM). 

Greeney, S. and A. Ruzicka (2004) Relict forsterite in chondrules: Implications for cooling rates. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXV, Abstract #1426, Lunar and Planetary Institute (CD ROM). 

Lindsay, T., A. Ruzicka, and M. Killgore (2003) Origin of silicate inclusions in the Miles (IIE) iron: Minimal partial melting, maximal fractional crystallization. Meteorit. Planet. Sci., 38, A102.

Ruzicka, A. and C. Floss (2003) Relict forsterite and igneous olivine grains in Chainpur (LL3.5) chondrules: Major  and trace element evidence for vapor fractionation and igneous partitioning. Lunar Planet Sci. XXXIV, Abstract #1243, Lunar and Planetary Institute (CD ROM). 

Hutson M. and A. Ruzicka (2000) A multi-step model for the origin of E3 (enstatite) chondrites. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 35, 601-608.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Silicate (dark) and metal alloy (light) in the Udei Station silicate-bearing iron meteorite. The scalebar increments at the bottom are 1 mm wide. Reflected light image of acid-etched specimen.
 

Close-up of barred olivine chondrule showing olivine bars (light) and silicate glass (dark) in the newly-classified Buck Mountains Wash chondrite from Arizona. SEM backscatterd electron image. 
 

Close-up of unusual intergrowths within FeNi-metal alloy in a newly-classified chondrite from Northwest Africa, showing Ni-rich (bright) and Ni-poor (dark) regions.  SEM backscatterd electron image. 
 

Dislocations (dark lines) in an olivine crystal in the Portales Valley meteorite.  HR-TEM image.