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Science 18 September 1987:
Vol. 237. no. 4821, pp. 1468 - 1471
DOI: 10.1126/science.237.4821.1468
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Articles

Oxygen Isotopes in Refractory Stratospheric Dust Particles: Proof of Extraterrestrial Origin

KEVIN D. MCKEEGAN 1

1 McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences and Physics Department, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130.

The oxygen and magnesium isotopic compositions of five individual particles that were collected from the stratosphere and that bear refractory minerals were measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Four of the particles exhibit excesses of oxygen-16 similar to those observed in anhydrous mineral phases of carbonaceous chondrites and thus are extraterrestrial. The oxygen and magnesium isotopic abundances of one corundum-rich particle are consistent with a terrestrial origin. Magnesium in the four extraterrestrial particles is isotopically normal. It is unlikely that these particles are derived from carbonaceous chondrites and thus such particles probably represent a new type of collected extraterrestrial material.

Submitted on April 13, 1987
Accepted on July 7, 1987


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Oxygen in Comets and Interplanetary Dust Particles.
S. A. Sandford, S. Messenger, M. DiSanti, L. Keller, and K. Altwegg (2008)
Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 68, 247-272
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Isotopic Compositions of Cometary Matter Returned by Stardust.
K. D. McKeegan, J. Aleon, J. Bradley, D. Brownlee, H. Busemann, A. Butterworth, M. Chaussidon, S. Fallon, C. Floss, J. Gilmour, et al. (2006)
Science 314, 1724-1728
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Samples of Stars Beyond the Solar System: Silicate Grains in Interplanetary Dust.
S. Messenger, L. P. Keller, F. J. Stadermann, R. M. Walker, and E. Zinner (2003)
Science 300, 105-108
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Stable Isotope Variations in Extraterrestrial Materials.
K. D. McKeegan, K. D. McKeegan, and L. A. Leshin (2001)
Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 43, 279-318
   Full Text »    PDF »
Oxygen Isotopic Abundances in Calcium- Aluminum-Rich Inclusions from Ordinary Chondrites: Implications for Nebular Heterogeneity.
K. D. McKeegan, L. A. Leshin, S. S. Russell, and G. J. MacPherson (1998)
Science 280, 414-418
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Reports Refractory Interplanetary Dust Particles.
M. E. Zolensky and M. E. ZOLENSKY (1987)
Science 237, 1466-1468
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)