On the Origin of GEMSGEMS (glass with embedded metal and sulfides) are a major component of anhydrous interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) their physical and chemical characteristics show marked similarities to contemporary interstellar dust. Recent oxygen isotopic measurements confirm that at least a small fraction (less than 5%) of GEMS are demonstrably presolar, while the remainder have ratios that are indistinguishable from solar values. GEMS with solar oxygen isotopic compositions either (1) had their isotopic compositions homogenized through processing in the interstellar medium (ISM), or (2) formed in the early solar system. Isotopic homogenization necessarily implies chemical homogenization, so (interstellar) GEMS compositions should reflect the average composition of dust in the local ISM. We performed a systematic examination of the bulk chemistry of GEMS in primitive IDPs in order to test this hypothesis.
Document ID
20040065916
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Keller, L. P. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Messenger, S. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Interplanetary Dust and Aerogel