Isotopes of Volatiles in Pre-Solar Grains

Elements usually considered volatile are key constituents (C, N, O) of the pre-solar grains identified in primitive meteorites and/or key diagnostic elements (noble gases). Their isotopic compositions generally are unlike anything seen in matter of solar-system origin. The large variations are indicative of the various stellar sources and various processes of nucleosynthesis by which they were created. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.