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Carbonaceous micrometeorites from Antarctica.

C Engrand¹, M Maurette

¹Department of Earth and Space Sciences, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA. engrand@argon.ess.ucla.edu

Meteoritics & Planetary Science

|September 7, 2001

Summary

Antarctic micrometeorites reveal a dominant new population of solar system objects, likely originating from comets. These "chondrites-without-chondrules" deliver significantly more extraterrestrial material to Earth than meteorites.

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Area of Science:

Cosmochemistry
Planetary Science
Astrobiology

Background:

Over 100,000 micrometeorites (50-500 µm) recovered from Antarctic ice.
Micrometeorites deliver 2000x more extraterrestrial material than meteorites.

Purpose of the Study:

Characterize Antarctic micrometeorites.
Identify their origins and implications for solar system history.
Discuss applications in astrobiology and early Earth prebiotic synthesis.

Main Methods:

Collection of meltwater from Antarctic ice sheets.
Mineralogical and chemical analysis of recovered micrometeorites.
Flux measurements in Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.

Main Results:

Micrometeorites are related to CM and CR carbonaceous chondrites but lack chondrules.
They exhibit higher C/O ratios and unequilibrated mineral assemblages.
Suggests a dominant, new population of solar system objects, possibly cometary.

Conclusions:

Micrometeorites represent a significant, previously underappreciated component of the solar system.
Their composition points to formation in the outer solar system and delivery via comets.
Studies offer insights into early solar system evolution and prebiotic chemistry.

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