Helium and neon in interplanetary dust particles

A summary is given of experiments performed to determine the amounts and isotopic composition of the helium and neon found in individual interplanetary dust particles collected in the Earth’s stratosphere. The role of step‐heating and pulse‐heating techniques for performing the extractions is discussed together with the application of the techniques to determination of the thermal history of the particles. The practicality of using these methods for distinguishing between particles of cometary and asteroidal origin is considered.