[meteorite-list] Identification of Origin of Particles Brought Back by Hayabusa

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:37:02 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201011161737.oAGHb281000451_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/11/20101116_hayabusa_e.html

Identification of origin of particles brought back by Hayabusa
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
November 16, 2010

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been engaged in
collecting and categorizing particles in the sampler container*
that were brought back by the instrumental module of the asteroid
exploration spacecraft "Hayabusa."

Based on the results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
observations and analyses of samples that were collected with a
special spatula from sample catcher compartment "A", about 1,500
grains were identified as rocky particles, and most of them were
judged to be of extraterrestrial origin, and definitely from
Asteroid Itokawa.

Their size is mostly less than 10 micrometers, and handling these
grains requires very special skills and techniques. JAXA is
developing the necessary handling techniques and preparing the
associated equipment for the initial (but more detailed)
analyses of these ultra-minute particles.

* The Hayabusa sampler container consists of 2 compartments
that are called "Sample Catcher A and B.
Received on Tue 16 Nov 2010 12:37:02 PM PST