Laboratory studies of stardust: Experimental astrophysics *†

Primitive meteorites contain microscopic pre-solar stardust grains that originated from stellar outflows and supernova ejecta. Identified phases include nano-diamond, graphite, silicon carbide, corundum, spinel, hibonite, nitride, and silicates. Their stellar origin was manifested by their enormous isotopic ratio variations compared to solar system materials. They are solid samples from various stellar sources, including red giant stars, AGB stars, novae, and supernovae. Laboratory isotopic analyses of these grains provide unique insights into stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis and mixing processes, dust formation in stellar envelopes, and galactic chemical evolution. Pre-solar grains open a new observational window for astrophysical researches.