About 110 researchers from around the world will gather from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in Steinberg Hall to discuss the laboratory study of presolar grains. These grains, or "stardust," are found in primitive meteorites and are providing new insights into the formation of the elements and the evolution of stars.
The McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences in Arts and Sciences and NASA are co-sponsoring the Conference on the Astrophysical Implications of the Laboratory Study of Presolar Materials. During the past nine years -- since preserved stardust was discovered in meteorites -- members of the McDonnell Center have played leading roles in analyzing these grains in the laboratory and interpreting the results.
By studying the isotopic compositions of grains, researchers are gaining new information on nuclear and chemical processes in stars and on conditions during the formation of the solar system.
Ernst Zinner, Ph.D., research professor of physics and of earth and planetary sciences in Arts and Sciences and a fellow of the McDonnell Center, will open the conference at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, with a historical overview of the microanalytical study of presolar materials.
Zinner co-organized the conference with Thomas Bernatowicz, Ph.D., research professor of physics and of earth and planetary sciences, and Robert M. Walker, Ph.D., the McDonnell Professor of physics and director of the McDonnell Center.
Among the topics to be discussed during the conference are short-lived isotopes in solar system solids; the mixing of supernovae ejecta, both observations and computer models; the formation of dust grains around stars; and astronomical observation of isotopic abundances in stars.
For information, call (314) 935-6225.
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