Chemical characterization of extraterrestrial sample return: a versatile platform @UnivAQ

The main analytical techniques useful for the comprehensive chemical characterization of relevant specimens available from extraterrestrial sample return missions, also considering, among others, the instrumental facilities available at the “Centro di Microscopie” of the University of L’Aquila (UnivAQ), are described. Different qualitative and/or quantitative approaches may be used in view of the different amounts, origin (terrestrial, extraterrestrial, synthetic, etc.) and type (organic, inorganic or hybrid matrices) of the authentic samples. ICP-MS and GC-MS, X-Ray, ATR-FTIR and micro-FTIR, Raman, UVVis spectroscopies, TEM or SEM, with X-Ray elemental analysis - EDX microscopies are among the most important characterization techniques, either destructive or non-destructive, employed for this specific end. Finally, two selected case studies have been discussed.