In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified a rare dust particle lodged within an ancient extraterrestrial meteorite, shedding new light on the origins of stars beyond our solar system. This remarkable finding, published in the prestigious Astrophysical Journal, is challenging current astrophysical models and providing insights into stellar environments that are not yet fully understood.
Rare Dust Particle and Atom Probe Tomography
The research team, led by Dr. Nicole Nevill of the Universities Space Research Association at LPI during her Ph.D. studies at Curtin University, analyzed the dust particle with unparalleled precision using atom probe tomography. This advanced technique allowed the team to delve into the atomic composition of the particle, revealing an extreme magnesium anomaly that can currently only be explained by a recently discovered type of star — a hydrogen-burning supernova.
Implications and Significance
The extreme magnesium anomaly found in the dust particle is a game-changer, as it marks the first known detailed chemical study of a presolar grain from a hydrogen-burning supernova. This discovery has unlocked new insights into hydrogen-burning supernovas and their evolutionary conditions, providing a deeper understanding of these celestial events. Moreover, this finding represents the first time presolar silicates have been studied using atom probe tomography, the highest spatial resolution technique in geochemical and geochronological research.
Atom Probe Tomography: A Cutting-Edge Instrument
The atom probe tomography used in this study is a cutting-edge instrument that breaks samples down to the atomic structure and reconstructs them in 3D, providing the exact x,y,z coordinates of each atom in the specimen. This technique measures all ions on the periodic table except noble gases, has sub-nm spatial resolution, and a detection limit of 10 ppm. Dr. Nevill was among the first to use this instrument for planetary sciences, making this discovery even more significant.