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Science 22 September 1978:
Vol. 201. no. 4361, pp. 1119 - 1121
DOI: 10.1126/science.201.4361.1119
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Articles

Silicate Spherules from Deep-Sea Sediments: Confirmation of Extraterrestrial Origin

R. GANAPATHY 1, D. E. BROWNLEE 2, and P. W. HODGE 3

1 J. T. Baker Chemical Company, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865
2 Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125
3 Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Seattle 98185

Silicate spherules produced by atmospheric melting of meteoric bodies are probably the most common form of extraterrestrial material on the earth. It has never been possible to positively identify such particles although it has been known for more than a century that silicate spherules of suspected extraterrestrial origin are present in deep-sea sediments. One such spherule has been identified as definitely extraterrestrial since its abundances of nonvolatile trace elements closely match those of primitive solar system material.

Submitted on March 13, 1978
Revised on May 2, 1978


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