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Composition of dust from Comet P/Halley: The mineral fractionThe composition of dust from Comet Halley was investigated in situ during the Vega 1, Vega 2, and Giotto encounters by the PIA/PUMA impact mass spectrometers. More than 5000 meaningful spectra of individual dust particles were obtained, most in a compressed mode. The interpretation of these spectra in terms of elemental and mineralogical composition will be discussed. Accounting for these difficulties, the following conclusions can be derived for the mineral fraction of dust particles: (1) the observed compositions are compatible with the full range of observed meteoritic minerals (in particular mafic silicates, plagioclases, sulfides, oxides); and (2) within each mineralogical class, the spread in composition appears much wider and more uniform than in meteorites. The low overall density and very large excess of light elements will be discussed. These first direct results on cometary dust considerably strengthen the case for a comet sample return mission.
Document ID
19900007315
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Langevin, Y.
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Orsay, France)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Workshop on Analysis of Returned Comet Nucleus Samples
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
90N16631
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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