Investigation of iron sulfide impact crater residues: A combined analysis by scanning and transmission electron microscopy

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

3

Scientific paper

Samples returned from comet 81P/Wild 2 by the Stardust mission provided an unequaled opportunity to compare previously available extraterrestrial samples against those from a known comet. Iron sulfides are a major constituent of cometary grains commonly identified within cometary interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and Wild 2 samples. Chemical analyses indicate Wild 2 sulfides are fundamentally different from those in IDPs. However, as Wild 2 dust was collected via impact into capture media at approximately 6.1 km s-1, it is unclear whether this is due to variation in preaccretional/parent body processes experienced by these materials or due to heating and alteration during collection. We investigated alteration in pyrrhotite and pentlandite impacted into Stardust flight spare Al foils under encounter conditions by comparing scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM, TEM) analyses of preimpact and postimpact samples and calculating estimates of various impact parameters. SEM is the primary method of analysis during initial in situ examination of Stardust foils, and therefore, we also sought to evaluate the data obtained by SEM using insights provided by TEM. We find iron sulfides experience heating, melting, separation, and loss of S, and mixing with molten Al. These results are consistent with estimated peak pressures and temperatures experienced (approximately 85 GPa, approximately 2600 K) and relative melting temperatures. Unambiguous identification of preserved iron sulfides may be possible by TEM through the location of Al-free regions. In most cases, the Ni:Fe ratio is preserved in both SEM and TEM analyses and may therefore also be used to predict original chemistry and estimate mineralogy.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Investigation of iron sulfide impact crater residues: A combined analysis by scanning and transmission electron microscopy does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Investigation of iron sulfide impact crater residues: A combined analysis by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Investigation of iron sulfide impact crater residues: A combined analysis by scanning and transmission electron microscopy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-997401

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.