Cometary evolution: clues from chondritic interplanetary dust particles.
Abstract
Cometary and interplanetary dust particles (IDP) are compared, and the mineralogical evolution of comet nuclei is discussed. Chondritic IDP have properties consistent with properties expected for cometary dust. The complex and varied mineralogy of these particles may indicate mineral alteration processes that occur in comet nuclei. Depending on the thermal budget of a comet, the upper few meters of nucleus material may maintain temperatures within regimes of hydrocryogenic (200 to 237 K) and low-temperature aqueous (274 to 400 K) alteration. Thus, layer silicates, carbonates, and sulfates may be important components of cometary dust and, correspondingly are common constituents of chondritic IDPs. Alteration of comet starting materials may be a common occurrence, and depends on the specific physical and chemical properties of each individual comet.
- Publication:
-
Diversity and Similarity of Comets
- Pub Date:
- September 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987ESASP.278..363R
- Keywords:
-
- Chondrites;
- Comets;
- Evolution (Development);
- Interplanetary Dust;
- Chemical Composition;
- Comet Nuclei;
- Mineralogy;
- Temperature Effects;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Comet 1986 III Halley;
- Comets:Chemical Composition;
- Comets:Evolution;
- Comets:Interplanetary Dust;
- Interplanetary Dust:Comets