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Nanometer‐scale anatomy of entire Stardust tracks
Author(s) -
NAKAMURAMESSENGER Keiko,
KELLER Lindsay P.,
CLEMETT Simon J.,
MESSENGER Scott,
ITO Motoo
Publication year - 2011
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.1945-5100.2011.01211.x
Subject(s) - aerogel , particle (ecology) , nanometre , track (disk drive) , diamond , solar system , range (aeronautics) , chondrite , olivine , geology , materials science , meteorite , mineralogy , astrobiology , nanotechnology , physics , composite material , computer science , oceanography , operating system
– We have developed new sample preparation and analytical techniques tailored for entire aerogel tracks of Wild 2 sample analyses both on “carrot” and “bulbous” tracks. We have successfully ultramicrotomed an entire track along its axis while preserving its original shape. This innovation allowed us to examine the distribution of fragments along the entire track from the entrance hole all the way to the terminal particle. The crystalline silicates we measured have Mg‐rich compositions and O isotopic compositions in the range of meteoritic materials, implying that they originated in the inner solar system. The terminal particle of the carrot track is a 16 O‐rich forsteritic grain that may have formed in a similar environment as Ca‐, Al‐rich inclusions and amoeboid olivine aggregates in primitive carbonaceous chondrites. The track also contains submicron‐sized diamond grains likely formed in the solar system. Complex aromatic hydrocarbons distributed along aerogel tracks and in terminal particles. These organics are likely cometary but affected by shock heating.