Instantaneous formation of interstellar minerals and mineral quantum dots.

ABSTRACT: Our understanding of the formation pathways of interstellar mineral dust is still evolving. This study investigated the formation of astrophysical mineral dust, such as olivine, by shock processing. Low-velocity (∼1.8 km s^-1) interstellar shock conditions were simulated using high-intensity shock tubes. These conditions enabled the examination of various cosmic mineral dust precursors such as the mixtures of Mg, Fe and SiO₂ under a shock strength of approximately 5.6 M and temperatures around 7300 K. Analysis of the processed samples revealed the presence of Mg-rich olivine, forsterite, MgO quantum dots (QD), and magnetite. These results indicate that shockwaves can rapidly induce dust formation in interstellar space. Furthermore, we demonstrated that shock processing

SUBMITTER: Roy A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12004361 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature