Astromaterials

Astromaterials are materials that originate from astronomical sources and are studied to understand the formation and evolution of the solar system and the cosmos. The field includes extraterrestrial rocks, minerals, metals, ices, and dust, whether collected in space and returned to Earth or found as particles that arrive from space to our planet, such as micrometeorites and interplanetary dust.

Sources and types include meteorites (stone, iron, and stony-iron, including primitive chondrites), lunar rocks, Martian meteorites, cometary dust, and interstellar grains. Some astromaterials are collected by spacecraft and returned to Earth in sample-return missions, while others are recovered from Earth's atmosphere or surface after arrival from space.

Researchers analyze astromaterials with chemical, mineralogical, and isotopic techniques to determine age, origin, and history. Methods include mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and spectroscopy. Isotopic ratios illuminate solar system formation timelines, planetary differentiation, and nucleosynthetic processes.

Curation and contamination control are essential, since terrestrial materials can obscure extraterrestrial signals. Agencies such as NASA maintain specialized facilities and archives for astromaterials, with strict provenance documentation and access for qualified scientists.

Notable sources and missions include Apollo Moon rocks, various meteorites, Stardust samples from comet Wild 2, Genesis solar-wind collectors, and asteroid samples from Hayabusa, Hayabusa2, and OSIRIS-REx. Together they have advanced understanding of planetary formation, solar wind composition, and early solar system history.