The University of Arizona

Faculty



Dante Lauretta
Dante Lauretta
Associate Professor, Cosmochemistry & planet formation
Ph.D., 1997, Washington University

Lunar and Planetary Lab
University of Arizona
Tucson AZ 85721

Kuiper Space Sciences 428
520.626.1138
E-mail Lauretta

Dr. Lauretta studies the chemistry of planetary materials in our solar system and those around other stars. His research interests focus on the chemistry and mineralogy of asteroids and comets as determined by chemical models of planet formation, in situ laboratory analysis and spacecraft observations. This work is important for constraining the chemistry of the solar nebula, understanding the origin of complex organic molecules in the early solar system, and constraining the chemical inventories of solar and extrasolar terrestrial planets. He is an expert in the analysis of extraterrestrial materials. In particular, he uses inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, and X-ray diffraction to study meteorites, lunar samples, and particles returned by Stardust. He also operates an experimental laboratory to reproduce mineral assemblages that occur in planetary materials.

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