Dr. Dante Lauretta
Associate Professor
Ph.D., 1997, Washington University
Contact:
- Lunar and Planetary Lab
- University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- Office: Space Sciences 428
- Phone: (520) 626-1138
- Email: lauretta
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Dr. Lauretta is interested in the origin of the solar system. More
specifically he studies the chemistry of the solar nebula, which is the
cloud of gas and dust from which our solar system formed. Meteorites are
important remnants from the early solar system. He performs experiments
to reproduce the minerals in meteorites. These simulated products are
compared to meteorites that have not been altered since accretion into
an asteroid. Meteorites may have also played an important role in the
origin of life. Dr. Lauretta is interested in understanding the source
of complex organic molecules in the early solar system. He runs an
analytical facility inside the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. In this
lab, he applies inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to
extra-terrestrial samples. In particular, he is developing techniques to
analyze cometary particles returned by the STARDUST spacecraft.
More information about Dr. Lauretta
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