The MegaSIMS Laboratory is one of the ground instruments performing analysis on the samples retrieved from the Genesis Mission. Utilizing the technique of mass spectrometry, the laboratory aims at finding clues of the origin of the solar system by comparing isotopic analysis of solar dust particles to that of the elements found on Earth. One element in particular, Oxygen, is believed to be indicative of the solar system's evolution and differentiation, thus becoming the highest priority of the researchers in the laboratory.
Image provided by NASA/JPL/Caltech
Located in the Geology building of the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA), the MegaSIMS is operated by researchers from the Department of Earth and Space Sciences in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the rest of the Genesis Team.
Updates
More MegaSIMS Website Updates! [05 December 2008]
The new design has been updated and automated using PHP! Expect more frequent additons of information to follow! click for more
MegaSIMS welcomes Veronika Heber [02 September 2008]
Joining the MegaSIMS team is Veronika Heber, a post-doctorate most recently from Switzerland, but originally from east Germany. click for more
New website online [23 August 2008]
New website is online! Browse the website for more info on the Genesis mission, as well as results obtained from the MegaSIMS. click for more
Samples from France received [03 July 2008]
The samples from France has arrived, as sent by Professor Kevin McKeegan to the MegaSIMS Laboratory. Unlike the previous analyzed samples, these are embeded in Silicon Carbide (SiC). click for more
