ISSN:
1572-946X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The composition of the interstellar silicate dust is investigated. Condensation or alteration of silicate grains at temperatures of a few hundred degrees, in the presence of H2O, would result in hydrous or phyllosilicates, the silicate type most abundant in the type I carbonaceous chondrites. Infrared spectra of small particles (∼0.1 μ) of the high temperature condensates, olivine and pyroxene, at 300 K and 4 K do not give a good match to the interstellar absorption band near 9.8 μ. Laboratory spectra of several phyllosilicates give better agreement as does the spectrum of a carbonaceous chondrite. We propose that the silicates in the interstellar grains are predominantly phyllosilicates and suggest additional spectral tests for this hypothesis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00644826
