title: Infrared spectroscopy of comet 81P/Wild 2 samples returned by Stardust.
abstract: Infrared spectra of material captured from comet 81P/Wild 2 by the Stardust spacecraft reveal indigenous aliphatic hydrocarbons similar to those in interplanetary dust particles thought to be derived from comets, but with longer chain lengths than those observed in the diffuse interstellar medium. Similarly, the Stardust samples contain abundant amorphous silicates in addition to crystalline silicates such as olivine and pyroxene. The presence of crystalline silicates in Wild 2 is consistent with mixing of solar system and interstellar matter. No hydrous silicates or carbonate minerals were detected, which suggests a lack of aqueous processing of Wild 2 dust.
authors.affiliation: Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate, Mail Code KR, NASA-Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA. lindsay.p.keller@nasa.gov
authors.forename: Lindsay P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Sasa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bajt
authors.forename: Giuseppe A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Baratta
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Don E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brownlee
authors.forename: Henner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Busemann
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Brucato
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burchell
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Colangeli
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: d'Hendecourt
authors.forename: Zahia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Djouadi
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrini
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fries
authors.forename: Monica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: Giles A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Faustine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grossemy
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kearsley
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matrajt
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura-Messenger
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mennella
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nittler
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Stadermann
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsou
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotundi
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sandford
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Snead
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wooden
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zolensky
mesh_terms: D019443:Cosmic Dust / Q000032:analysis; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D019110:Meteoroids; D017640:Silicates / Q000032:analysis*; D018531:Spacecraft; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
chemical_list: D019443:Cosmic Dust; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D017640:Silicates