Discover the origin of cosmic dust on Earth

The origin of meteorites can only be observed by microscopy that creates cosmic dust that was first revealed in a study published last September 1.

Research shows that cosmic dust falls to Earth from the ancient asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. Research has expanded our understanding of the solar system and can provide a new but economical way to understand space.

Cosmic dust particles originating from meteorites and comets are crushed pieces of rock. They are about a tenth of a millimeter in size and cover the solar system forming a thin cloud. Cosmic dust research is important because their mineral composition records the conditions for forming asteroids and comets from four and a half billion years ago and sheds light on our solar system's history at a time. most primitive.

The author of the study, Dr. Mathew Genge, of the London College of Earth Sciences and Engineering - traveled around the world to collect cosmic dust. He said: 'There are hundreds of billions of cosmic dust particles falling into our sky. This plentiful supply is important because tiny pieces of rock allow us to study objects far away in the solar system without having to perform billions of dollars' worth of tasks.

We still do not know the exact origin of cosmic dust falling to Earth. Previously, researchers thought that analyzing the mineral composition and chemical composition of individual dust particles could help trace their origin. But this study shows that comparing dust particles gives more accurate results.

To find out the origin of cosmic dust, Dr. Genge analyzed more than 600 particles , then carefully classified its chemical and mineral composition and joined them like a puzzle.

Chondrite's cosmic dust particles have many tiny holes. (Photo: Courtesy of EK Jessberger, Institut für Planetologie, Münster, Germany, and Don Brownlee, University of Washington, Seattle (via Wikipedia))

He commented: 'I studied cosmic dust particles for quite a while and had all the puzzle pieces. But I had to try to find each one. Only when looking back at all the characteristics and mineral composition of hundreds of elements will it be clear where they come from. This is like turning back the envelope and seeing the mailing address behind. '

Dr. Genge found that cosmic dust originated from the ancient cosmic stone family named Koronis asteroids, there are 243 Ida , photographed by NASA's Galileo telescope. Cosmic rocks are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, they were formed about 2 billion years before a much larger asteroid broke into pieces. A more thorough analysis reveals that cosmic dust originates from a group of 20 smaller cosmic rocks belonging to the Koronis family named Karin asteroids. Cosmic dust originates from ancient chondrite rocks, often appearing in Karin asteroids, formed in the universe at the time of the birth of the solar system.

The chondrite meteorite often falls on Earth. Dr. Genge can compare the mineral and chemical composition of dust particles with chondrite meteorite samples collected previously. He confirmed the origin of cosmic dust with astronomical satellite infrared data. The data show that Karin asteroids collide and crush each other to form cosmic dust.

Dr. Genge said his research opens up many exciting opportunities to learn more about our solar system in its primitive time. He admits that the work of analyzing cosmic dust can never replace space missions, but perhaps it will help us not to waste our time exploring so many different locations.

He concluded: 'This research is the first time we have succeeded in finding a way to identify the origins of small but very important elements. The answer to many different questions, for example, why do we exist here and are isolated in the universe, perhaps within the tiny cosmic dust element. Because they are everywhere, even in our homes, we don't need to get out of the Earth to find the answer. The answer may be right next to you, right here and right now. '

Refer:
Genge et al.Koronis asteroid dust within Antarctic ice.Geology, 2008;36 (9): 687 DOI: 10.1130 / G24493A.1