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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
11:34
Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
An Interplanetary Dust Particle Linked Directly to Type CM Meteorites and an Asteroidal Origin
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Tochilinite, a rare mineral found in space dust, was identified in an interplanetary dust particle (IDP). This discovery links IDPs to specific meteorites, suggesting some dust originates from asteroids.
Area of Science:
- Mineralogy
- Cosmochemistry
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are extraterrestrial materials collected in Earth's stratosphere.
- Tochilinite is an ordered mixed-layer mineral containing Mg, Al, Fe, Ni, S, and O.
- This mineral has previously been found in CM carbonaceous chondrite meteorites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the mineralogical composition of an IDP.
- To establish a petrogenetic link between IDPs and specific meteorite classes.
- To determine the origin of certain stratospheric IDPs.
Main Methods:
- Mineralogical analysis of an IDP.
- Comparison of IDP mineralogy with known meteorite compositions.
Main Results:
- Tochilinite was identified in an IDP.
- This finding establishes a direct link between layer-silicate IDPs and CM carbonaceous chondrites.
- The presence of tochilinite in an IDP indicates an asteroidal origin for some IDPs.
Conclusions:
- Some IDPs collected in the stratosphere have an asteroidal origin.
- Materials with CM mineralogy are likely not abundant among dust-producing asteroids.
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