Primitive Materials
Primitive materials are those least modified by the processes by which the initial solar nebula evolved into the present solar system. As surviving remnants of the nebula, they include chondritic meteorites, cosmic and interplanetary dust particles, and cometary material sampled both in Earth's stratosphere and by the Stardust sample-return mission. These materials are studied in state-of-the-art analytical laboratories using Mass Spectrometry and a range of electron- and ion-beam instrumentation. Use the side navigation buttons to the left for more information and to view the labs and research teams engaged in this type of work.