Synchrotron radiation induced nano-X-ray fluorescence analyses (nano-SXRF) and nano-X-ray diffraction (nano-SXRD) applied on contemporary interstellar dust particles

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The STARDUST mission launched by NASA (in 1999 and returned 2006) provided cometary particles sampled in the coma of comet Wild2 and interstellar grains from an interstellar particle stream, which crosses our solar system (Brownlee et al. 2003). Wild 2 particles have already been subject to numerous investigations. Non destructive preliminary examinations such as nano - SXRF and nano – SXRD applied on the unique, submicron - sized interstellar particles with focus on chemical composition and structure started in 2010 as the main target of only a few approved research teams in the framework of the “Interstellar Preliminary Examination” – Team (ISPE) and will continue during the next years. I am head of an international research team, whose members already performed successful examinations on interstellar grains as part of the “Interstellar Preliminary Examination” – Team (ISPE) whose members are in charge of all preliminary examinations on STARDUST interstellar samples. For the first time pristine contemporary matter from the interstellar medium is sampled and brought back to Earth, which now offers unique fresh material, prevented from any terrestrial alteration. The detailed study of these unique grains applying nondestructive analytical techniques will provide information of yet unknown Interstellar Medium (ISM) processes and to test or confirm theoretical models and astronomical observations. During the recent funded period the first 4 ever studied contemporary interstellar candidate grains were identified and characterized.