The distribution of presolar grains in CI and CO meteorites

Marhas K. K., Hoppe P., Stadermann F. J., Floss C., and Lea A. S. (2006) Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVII, Abstract #1959.


ABSTRACT

Presolar grains have been identified by huge isotopic anomalies in the chemical residues from primitive meteorites. Recently, presolar silicates, which can not be separated by conventional chemical procedures, have been identified in-situ in polished thin sections. To date, more than 100 presolar silicates have been reported from various type 3.0 unaltered primitive meteorites, with a maximum abundance reported for Acfer 094 of 180 ppm. In addition to the information inferred from astronomical observations, the abundance as well as mineralogy and chemical composition of presolar grains from different meteorite classes can help to understand (1) the different processes effecting the growth of these grains in circumstellar environments, (2) the variations/alterations taking place within different peterological types of meteorites, and (3) the destruction of grains in the ISM. A larger data set on presolar silicates from various meteorite classes is needed to obtain information on all of these aspects. Previous work on the Tagish Lake meteorite indicated an abundance of 4 ppm for presolar silicates (matrix area covered ~ 29250 µm2) and also a probable carbonaceous presolar grain within the matrix area of 5400 µm2. Here, we report on the continued in-situ search for various types of presolar grains (oxides/silicates/nitrides/carbides) in the Tagish Lake meteorite and on new results of an in-situ search for presolar silicates and oxides in Yamato 81025.


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