Microfossils in CI and CO carbonaceous meteorites

Richard B. Hoover; Alexei Yu. Rozanov; Gregory A. Jerman; James Costen

doi:10.1117/12.513431

10 February 2004 Microfossils in CI and CO carbonaceous meteorites

Richard B. Hoover, Alexei Yu. Rozanov, Gregory A. Jerman, James Costen

Proceedings Volume 5163, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VII; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.513431
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We have obtained x-ray spectral data and secondary/backscatter electron images of a suite of complex forms that we interpret as microfossils in several CI (Alais, Orgueil, and Tagish Lake) and CO3 (Rainbow and Dar al Gani 749) carbonaceous meteorites using the Field Emission and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopes. Many of these embedded and lithified or carbonized forms are similar to photoautrophs (cyanobacteria or purple nonsulfur bacteria) or extinct phytoplankton (acritarchs and hystrichospheres) that are not considered likely post-arrival contaminants and therefore we interpret them as indigenous microfossils. We discuss the meteorites and provide images of several biogenic forms found embedded in freshly fractured meteorite matrix.

Citation Download Citation

Richard B. Hoover, Alexei Yu. Rozanov, Gregory A. Jerman, and James Costen "Microfossils in CI and CO carbonaceous meteorites", Proc. SPIE 5163, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VII, (10 February 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.513431

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