Analysis of samples from the solar wind, shows that the isopic-composition of the Sun is slightly different from Earth's isotopes

The Genesis spaceprobe was launched in 2002 to collect samples of the solar wind. It returned capsules to Earth in 2005, but the capsules were damaged when they returned to Earth.

Carefull studies shows however, that some particles in the capsules has a different composition of isotopes than on Earth. These particles can therefore positively be identified as Soler-wind residues.

But the different isotopic-composition came as a surprise to the astronomers, since the basic assumption is that the SUn and the planets are made of the same matter.

The reason for these differences is unknown, but will be analysed in models of the creation of our solar system, to reach an explenation

Source: Los Angeles Times/AFP