JMDMT #1819 Microfossils of Cyanobacteria in Carbonaceous Meteorites

The James M. DuPont Meteorite Collection - are observed near 9.1, 11.4, and 20 micrometers in all of the ALH 84001 spectra [3]; however, the mid-IR spectral features in the chip and powder spectra exhibit differences that are likely due to particle size and texture, as well as inhomogeneity or variability in the sample mineralogy. When comparing the spectral properties of the martian meteorite ALH 84001 to those of laboratory minerals [4], there are important similarities and differences. The orthopyroxene mineral hypersthene [4] contains similar major element abundances to those measured by Mittlefehldt [1] for the orthopyroxene component of ALH 84001. Although the mid-IR reflectance spectra of hypersthene are consistent with some aspects of the spectra of a chip of ALH 84001, the spectral features observed for hypersthene