Analysis of volatiles present in interplanetary dust and stratospheric particles collected on large area collectorsResults are presented from an analysis of six chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and 22 other stratospheric particles collected on large-area collector, carried out in order to obtain information on the nature, distribution, and form of volatiles in IDPs. A laser microprobe/mass spectrometer (LMMS) was used to extract volatile elements and molecules from particles larger than 10 microns, and an improved hexane rinsing technique was developed for the removal of contaminants. Results show that, because of contamination from silicone oil, freon, and hexane, most of the LMMS signal from IDPs can be interpreted as arising from contamination. Therefore, a species was not considered indigenous unless the signal was an order of magnitude greater in abundance than that released from a pure contaminant coated on gold.
Document ID
19910057748
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hartmetz, C. P. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Gibson, E. K., Jr. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Blanford, G. E. (University of Houston-Clear Lake TX, United States)