Introduction: At least some meteoritic nano-diamonds are likely of presolar origin because of their association with anomalous Xe-HL and Te isotopic components indicative of a supernova (SN) origin [1,2]. But the abundance of Xe is such that only ~1 in 10 6 nano-diamonds contains a Xe atom, and the bulk 13 C/ 12 C composition of nano-diamond acid residues is chondritic (solar) [3]. Therefore, i...

Extensive collection efforts in Antarctica and the Sahara in the past 10 years have greatly increased the number of known meteorites. Groupings of meteorites according to petrologic, mineralogical, bulkchemical, and isotopic properties suggest the existence of 100–150 distinct parent bodies. Dynamical studies imply that most meteorites have their source bodies in the main belt and not among the...

Introduction: There is now increasing evidence that the timescale between the formation of CAIs and of chondrules is < 1-2 Ma, and that the achondritic parent planets may have formed and differentiated within 2-4 Ma of the origin of the Solar System [1,2]. Long-lived chronometers (such as 187 Re

Reactions of formamide (NH2COH) in the presence of catalysts of both terrestrial and meteoritic origin yield, in plausible and variegated conditions, a large panel of precursors of (pre)genetic and (pre)metabolic interest. Formamide chemistry potentially satisfies all of the steps from the very initial precursors to RNA. Water chemistry enters the scene in RNA non-enzymatic synthesis and recomb...

On Earth, large earthquakes commonly cause saturated soils to liquefy and streamflow to increase. We suggest that meteoritic impacts on Mars may have repeatedly caused similar liquefaction to enable violent eruption of groundwater. The amount of erupted water may be comparable to that required to produce catastrophic floods and to form outflow channels.  2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dolerite samples taken from Sandford Cliffs, Antarctica were used as meteoritic analogues for cold desert residence and studied to investigate subsequent alteration of noble gas inventories. The 84 Kr/ 132 Xe and 36 Ar/ 132 Xe ratios were seen to decrease with increased amounts of weathering, the δ 15 N showed little change. The most weathered dolerite showed a signature close to Martian interior.