An investigation into the origin of group 4 stardust grains.

Bose M., Stadermann F. J., and Floss C. (2008)
Lunar & Planet. Sci. 39, Abstract #1099.


ABSTRACT

Silicate and oxide stardust grains characterized by 18O enrichments are referred to as group 4 grains. Low mass/high metallicity red giant or asymptotic giant branch stars and Type II supernovae are possible sources for group 4 grains. The small size of silicate and oxide presolar grains often hinders their study using multiple isotope systems. There is also a lack of elemental information for most of these grains. The present work aims to acquire additional isotopic (e.g., Si) and elemental data on group 4 grains. We then try to reproduce the O isotopes of group 4 grains by mixing material from five layers of the SN ejecta and test if the mixing ratios predict the measured Si isotopic compositions. The Si isotopes are chosen in our study since large numbers of presolar silicates have been discovered in extraterrestrial materials.


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