Coordinated Analysis of Organic Matter in Primitive Meteorites

Abstract: Carbonaceous chondrites (CC) preserve a diverse range of organic matter formed within cold interstellar environments, the solar nebula, and during subsequent parent body asteroidal processing. This organic matter maintains a unique geochemical and istopic record of organic evolution [1-4]. Bulk studies of organics within CC have revealed a complex array of organic species. However, bulk studies invariably involve solvent extraction, resulting in a loss of spatial context of the host mineral m…