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Stardust in Antarctic micrometeorites
Author(s) -
YADA Toru,
FLOSS Christine,
STADERMANN Frank J.,
ZINNER Ernst,
NAKAMURA Tomoki,
NOGUCHI Takaaki,
LEA A. Scott
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
meteoritics and planetary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 1086-9379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.2008.tb00698.x
Subject(s) - presolar grains , silicate , meteorite , interplanetary dust cloud , astrobiology , wüstite , geology , silicate minerals , mineralogy , chemistry , chondrite , solar system , physics , hematite , organic chemistry
Abstract— We report the discovery of presolar silicate, oxide (hibonite), and (possibly) SiC grains in four Antarctic micrometeorites (AMMs). The oxygen isotopic compositions of the eighteen presolar silicate (and one oxide) grains found are similar those observed previously in primitive meteorites and interplanetary dust particles, and indicate origins in oxygen‐rich red giant or asymptotic giant branch stars, or in supernovae. Four grains with anomalous C isotopic compositions were also detected. 12 C/ 13 C as well as Si ratios are similar to those of mainstream SiC grains; the N isotopic composition of one grain is also consistent with a mainstream SiC classification. Presolar silicate grains were found in three of the seven AMMs studied, and are heterogeneously distributed within these micrometeorites. Fourteen of the 18 presolar silicate grains and 3 of the 4 C‐anomalous grains were found within one AMM, T98G8. Presolar silicate‐bearing micrometeorites contain crystalline silicates that give sharp X‐ray diffractions and do not contain magnesiowüstite, which forms mainly through the decomposition of phyllosilicates and carbonates. The occurrence of this mineral in AMMs without presolar silicates suggests that secondary parent body processes probably determine the presence or absence of presolar silicates in Antarctic micrometeorites.