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UV-Vis spectroscopy of stardust

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2006

C.D. Fernandes ,
D. Johnson ,
J.C. Bridges  and
Monica M. Grady
C.D. Fernandes
Affiliation:
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK e-mail: [email protected]
D. Johnson
Affiliation:
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK e-mail: [email protected]
J.C. Bridges
Affiliation:
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK e-mail: [email protected] Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
Monica M. Grady
Affiliation:
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK e-mail: [email protected] Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
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Abstract

NASA's Stardust mission flew through the coma of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, capturing dust grains as it did so. The grains were returned safely to Earth in January 2006, and are in the process of being distributed to investigators. As members of the Spectroscopy Preliminary Examination Team, we are preparing to analyse Stardust grains. Our contribution is to measure the spectrum of the grains between 200 nm (in the near ultraviolet) and 800 nm (near infrared). The purpose of the measurement is to provide an additional technique for characterizing the grains, one that is complementary to other spectroscopic techniques and one that produces results that can be matched directly with spectra acquired remotely (with telescope or spacecraft instrumentation). As part of the preparation for analysis of Stardust materials, we are producing a database of spectra from appropriate minerals, and are honing the technique through analysis of primitive meteorites.

Keywords

StardustcometsUV/Vis spectroscopymeteorites
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , October 2006 , pp. 287 - 293
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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