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Pyroxene whiskers and platelets in interplanetary dust: evidence of vapour phase growth

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Abstract

Enstatite (MgSiO3) whiskers and platelets have been observed in interplanetary dust particles collected from the stratosphere. Their unique crystal morphologies and microstructures, such as axial screw dislocations, strongly suggest that they are primary vapour phase condensates which could have formed either in the solar nebula or in presolar environments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    J. P. Bradley & D. E. Brownlee

  2. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA

    D. R. Veblen

Authors
  1. J. P. Bradley
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  2. D. E. Brownlee
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  3. D. R. Veblen
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Bradley, J., Brownlee, D. & Veblen, D. Pyroxene whiskers and platelets in interplanetary dust: evidence of vapour phase growth. Nature 301, 473–477 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/301473a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/301473a0

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