Anhydrous Interplanetary Dust Research Articles

Cosmic Silicate Dust

Silicates form a major component of cosmic dust. This paper summarizes the main structural and spectroscopic properties of amorphous and crystalline silicates. Furthermore, it reviews our knowledge of cosmic silicates in the Galaxy. Recent in-situ studies of presolar silicates extracted from primitive meteorites and anhydrous interplanetary dust grains will be discussed.