UK leadership in extraterrestrial sample return
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
Abstract
The aim of this project is to help build critical mass and leadership for the UK in the analysis of samples that are soon to be returned from asteroids, the Moon and Mars. These samples will be highly scientifically important because they will have the potential to deliver a step change in our ability to answer questions including those within STFC science challenge B: 'How do stars and planetary systems develop and how do they support the existence of life?'.
The principal objective of our project is to undertake a proof of concept study to test the ability of the emerging technique of atom probe tomography to provide unique insights into the composition and structure of planetary materials. Atom probe tomography can potentially transform our ability to obtain science from tiny amounts of returned samples because it is uniquely capable of identifying atoms and locating them in three-dimensions in a sub-micrometre size particle. Damage to the original sample is minimal, which is exceptionally important given that very little material will be available for researchers to study. In our pump priming work we will analyse samples of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, which are good analogues for the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, samples of which will soon to be returned to Earth by NASA and the Japanese space agency. The outcomes of this work will include new capability for the measurement of chemistry, isotopic ratios and nanostructure in complex asteroidal materials. These results will underpin network building activities with researchers in the UK and internationally, thus helping to build critical mass and momentum behind leadership of the UK during this very exciting period of planetary exploration.
The principal objective of our project is to undertake a proof of concept study to test the ability of the emerging technique of atom probe tomography to provide unique insights into the composition and structure of planetary materials. Atom probe tomography can potentially transform our ability to obtain science from tiny amounts of returned samples because it is uniquely capable of identifying atoms and locating them in three-dimensions in a sub-micrometre size particle. Damage to the original sample is minimal, which is exceptionally important given that very little material will be available for researchers to study. In our pump priming work we will analyse samples of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, which are good analogues for the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, samples of which will soon to be returned to Earth by NASA and the Japanese space agency. The outcomes of this work will include new capability for the measurement of chemistry, isotopic ratios and nanostructure in complex asteroidal materials. These results will underpin network building activities with researchers in the UK and internationally, thus helping to build critical mass and momentum behind leadership of the UK during this very exciting period of planetary exploration.
Planned Impact
The project will have potential impacts on a variety of sectors. Our atom probe tomography development work could be utilised by mining companies to help visualise the distribution of precious metals (e.g., gold) and strategically important elements within their host minerals. Our capability enhancing work on organic matter in carbonaceous chondrites has potential impacts for the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors, and our development of APT to analyse hydrogen and halogens may provide new insights into engineering problems such as hydrogen embrittlement of steel and the performance of semiconductor devices. These potential impacts can start to be realised via networking and dissemination at conferences, and through publications. Project partners Oxford Instruments and CAMECA are closely involved in the project, and opportunities for impact and follow-on innovation activities will be explored with both partners.
Publications
Daly L
(2024)
Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Daly L
(2020)
Exploring Mars at the nanoscale: Applications of transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography in planetary exploration
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Daly L
(2021)
Solar wind contributions to Earth's oceans
in Nature Astronomy
Daly L
(2021)
Developing Atom Probe Tomography of Phyllosilicates in Preparation for Extra-Terrestrial Sample Return
in Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research
Forman L
(2023)
Impacts on the CV parent body: A coordinated, multiscale fabric analysis of the Allende meteorite
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Jenkins L
(2023)
Winchcombe: An example of rapid terrestrial alteration of a CM chondrite
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
King AJ
(2022)
The Winchcombe meteorite, a unique and pristine witness from the outer solar system.
in Science advances
Lee M
(2023)
The water content of CM carbonaceous chondrite falls and finds, and their susceptibility to terrestrial contamination
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Lee M
(2023)
Extended time scales of carbonaceous chondrite aqueous alteration evidenced by a xenolith in L a P az Icefield 02239 ( CM2 )
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Lee M
(2021)
The pre-atmospheric hydrogen inventory of CM carbonaceous chondrites
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Description | There are two sets of key findings associated with this award: 1. The Winchcombe meteorite fell in Gloucestershire, UK, in February 2021, which was in the middle of the period of the award. This is the first UK meteorite to have been recovered in 30 years, and was of a type that is highly scientifically valuable. The researcher co-investigator on the award, Luke Daly, was instrumental in the recovery of the meteorite, and the research team played a key role in its analysis. The initial findings were published in Science Advances, with the researcher co-investigator as joint first author, and a suite of other papers have been published or are in press. 2. The research team published several papers on using atom probe tomography to study returned samples, which was a major focus of the award, including a paper in Nature Astronomy setting out a new paradigm for the origin of Earth's water. |
Exploitation Route | Our work recovering and analysing the Winchcombe meteorite has been very valuable in highlighting the importance and excitement of planetary science to the public, and one of the pieces of the meteorite that was recovered by the researcher co-investigator is on display in the Natural History Museum, London. Results of our work have also highlighted the power of atom probe tomography as a tool for analysing extraterrestrial and terrestrial materials, not only natural samples but also materials of importance to industry |
Sectors | Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
URL | https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2021/november/headline_822735_en.html |
Description | The UK Fireball Alliance - building an all-sky UK meteor observatory |
Amount | £147,117 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/Y004817/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2023 |
End | 08/2025 |
Description | The cosmic carbon observatory |
Amount | £903,675 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/W001128/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 03/2025 |
Title | Atom probe tomography |
Description | One of the goals of this research project is to develop the novel technique of atom probe tomography for analysing the nanoscale chemical composition of planetary materials, in particular phyllosilicates. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This tool has been used most recently in the analysis of samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission. The atom probe technique has also been used in the analysis of samples returned from the asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission, and published in Nature Astronomy |
Title | Solar wind contributions to Earth's oceans |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | http://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/1164 |
Description | BBC Scotland's The Nine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I appeared on two live TV broadcasts for BBC Scotland's The Nine show as an expert commentator for the arrival of samples from Asteroid Bennu from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Media activity around the launch of the USA space plane |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I appeared on BBC news TV and BBC scotland and regional radio stations to speak about the launch of the USA space plane. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |