Tarlike macro-molecules detected in 'stardust'

Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics

April 26, 2000

Mass-spectrometer CIDA of the Garching based Max-Planck-Institut on the NASA spacecraft STARDUST produces puzzling results

The first in-situ chemical analysis of interstellar dust particles produces a puzzling result: These cosmic particles consist mostly of 3-dimensionally cross-linked organic macro-molecules, so-called polymeric-heterocyclic-aromates. "They rather resemble tar-like substances than minerals" say Dr. Franz R. Krueger (contractor) and Dr.Jochen Kissel, Max-Planck-Institut fur extraterrestrische Physik (for extraterrestrial Physics), Garching near Munich, Germany, in the latest issue of 'Sterne und Weltraum' a monthly, German language Astronomy magazine in Heidelberg, Germany.

So far, 5 interstellar dust particles (dust between the stars) have hit the Garching built dust impact mass spectrometer CIDA (Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer) onboard the NASA spacecraft STARDUST. Launched on Feb 7th 1999 STARDUST will visit comet Wild-2 (pronounced Vild-2) in 2004.

Extract from a JPL News release of 26^th April 2000