The Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer at comet 81P/Wild 2
J Kissel1, F R Krueger, J Silén
1Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie, Max-Planck-Strasse 2, D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 19, 2004
Summary
Cometary and interstellar dust analysis reveals organic matter, including quinone derivatives, in both. Cometary dust loses hydrogen and oxygen, becoming rich in nitrogen, while interstellar dust retains these elements.
Area of Science:
- Cosmochemistry
- Astrobiology
- Planetary Science
Background:
- The Stardust mission analyzed cometary and interstellar dust using the Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA).
- Previous studies suggested organic molecules could be present in extraterrestrial dust.
- Understanding dust composition is key to understanding the origins of life and planetary formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the organic composition of interstellar and cometary dust particles.
- To compare the molecular makeup of dust from different origins.
- To investigate the chemical evolution of organic matter from interstellar space to comets.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA) instrument, a time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
- Analyzed ion spectra from 45 presumed interstellar dust particles and 29 particles from Comet 81P/Wild 2.
- Identified organic constituents and their elemental composition.
Main Results:
- Identified quinone derivatives in the organic component of interstellar dust particles.
- Confirmed the prevalence of organic matter in cometary dust.
- Observed a depletion of hydrogen and oxygen in cometary dust compared to interstellar dust, with these elements likely present as gas phases (water, carbon monoxide).
- Cometary dust was found to be rich in nitrogen-containing species.
- No amino acids were detected, but sulfur ions were identified in one cometary dust spectrum.
Conclusions:
- Cometary and interstellar dust share organic components, but undergo significant chemical processing.
- The transition from interstellar to cometary environments leads to the loss of hydrogen and oxygen from organic matter.
- Nitrogen and sulfur species appear to be significant in cometary organic chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion
In the early 17th century, German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler postulated three laws for the motion of planets in the solar system. He formulated his first two laws based on the observations of his forebears, Nikolaus Copernicus and Tycho Brahe.
Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus put forth a theory that stated a heliocentric model for the solar system. According to this heliocentric theory, all the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in circular orbits.
On the other hand,...
Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus put forth a theory that stated a heliocentric model for the solar system. According to this heliocentric theory, all the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in circular orbits.
On the other hand,...
01:29Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion
In the early 17th century, German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler postulated three laws for the motion of planets in the solar system. His first law states that all planets orbit the Sun in an elliptical orbit, with the Sun at one of the ellipse's foci. Therefore, the distance of a planet from the Sun varies throughout its revolution around the Sun.
While in an elliptical orbit, the total energy of the planet is conserved. Therefore, the planet slows down when it is at apogee and...
While in an elliptical orbit, the total energy of the planet is conserved. Therefore, the planet slows down when it is at apogee and...
01:18Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion
In the early 17th century, German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler postulated three laws for the motion of planets in the solar system. In 1909, he formulated his first two laws based on the observations of his forebears, Nikolaus Copernicus and Tycho Brahe. However, in 1918, he published his third law of planetary motion, which gives a precise mathematical relationship between a planet's average distance from the Sun and the amount of time it takes to revolve around the Sun. It...
01:22Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
01:16Flame Photometry: Lab
In a flame photometer, when a solution like potassium chloride is aspirated into the flame, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind dehydrated salt. This salt dissociates into free gaseous atoms in their ground state. Some of these atoms absorb energy from the flame, leading to their excitation. The excited atoms return to the ground state, emitting photons at characteristic wavelengths. Because only electronic transitions are involved, the resulting emission lines are very narrow. The intensity...